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HUMBLE 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY 



PRACTICAL ESSAYS, 



POLITICAL, LEGAL, MORAL, AND MISCELLANEOUS. INCLUDING A 
BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE, SUFFERINGS, AND MEMO- 
RABLE VISIT OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 




/ 

BY SAMUEL ELLIOT. 



B,OSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY OTIS, BROADEES A^D COMPAXY. 

1842. 



r 




DISTRICT OF VERMONT, to wit : 
Be it remembered, That, on the eleventh day of January, A. D. 
1842, Samuel Elliot, of the said District, hath deposited in this 
office the title of a book, the title of which is in the words following, 
to wit : 

" An Humble Tribute to my Country ; or, Practical Essays, Politi- 
cal, Legal, Moral, and Miscellaneous, including a Brief Account of 
the Life, Sufferings, and Memorable Visit of General Lafayette. 
' Tis all that I can give.' By Samuel Elliot." 

The right whereof he claims as author, in conformity with an Act 
of Congress, entitled, " An Act to amend the several acts respect- 
ing copyrights." 

Jesse Gove, Clerk of the District, 



District Clerk's Office, ) 
Vermont District^ to wit .- \ 
I, Jesse Gove, Clerk of the District Court of the United States, 
in and for the Vermont District, do hereby certify that the preced- 
ing is a true copy of a record of the said District Court, as above 
written : 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said 
Court, and subscribed my name at Rutland in said District, this 
eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and forty-two, and of the Independence of the United 
States the sixty-sixth. 

Jesse Gove, Clerk. 



t Printed by S. N. DICKINSON, 7 
\ 52 Washington-st. Boston. \ 



PREFACE. 



Born and cherished in a land of civil and reli- 
gious light and liberty, and feeling grateful for such 
a distinguished privilege, and anxiously solicitous 
for the preservation of those rights and blessings so 
richly bestowed upon us, the Author, for the sake of 
his children, his country and the world, has occa- 
sionally noted down, and now offers to the public 
some practical, and, he trusts, useful hints and in- 
structions upon the duties and practices of men in 
the various relations of life. This work, in this 
respect, differs from the exciting and fashionable 
productions of fiction and fancy, by which intellec- 
tual amusement is often consulted at the expense of 
general utility and solid improvement. 



IV PHEFACE. 

The reader of this little volume will find much 
political, legal, moral, and general information to 
reward his patient attention. And although it is 
designed to aid the cause of sound moral, religious 
and political improvement, yet nothing will be found 
of a bigoted, narrow, sectarian, or uncharitable cast, 
even on the agitating topics of slavery, temperance, 
religious controversy, or on the subject of amuse- 
ments, and the regulation of the temper and habits 
of the young, and even fashionable circles. For the 
author has participated in the scenes of youth and 
the gay world, as well as those connected wuth prac- 
tical duty and experience in the trying periods and 
circumstances of life. 

The only topics in the least calculated to wound 
the feelings of any correct minds, are the remarks 
upon election and baptism. But the reader should 
bear in mind, that the author's view of the one 
represents our Creator as always acting and superin- 
tending, not, as heretofore, having done all things. 
And of the other, gives in candor much to his 
opponents, and simply disapproves of their exclu- 
sive theory. 



I 



PREFACE. V 

It may be objected, that too many subjects Lave 
been touched upon, and even some disputed and 
difficult points in religion. But the reader will find 
no intricacy, confusion, or virulence here. He will 
be led directly to the point, and not be wearied with 
speculation and elaborate disquisition. The disbe- 
lievers in the sovereignty of God and the holy reli- 
gion of his Son, will be told at once — and kindly, 
too — of their error. The Catholics (so called) will be 
shown, in plain and laconic style, that their mother 
church is wrong and must mend her ways ; — and so 
with the Perfectionists and Mormonites. To all 
these, the author at once discloses their errors with- 
out any tedious apology, or the least indulgence in 
acrimony or ill manners. 

Preserved, as he has been for more than half a 
century, under a variety of vicissitudes, he has had 
the advantage of much personal observation to aid 
his undertaking. Through early, middle and ad- 
vanced life ; through the recklessness and poverty of 
the one, and the complicated domestic cares, trials 

and afflictions, as well as public responsibilities of 
1* 



VI PREFACE. 

the other periods of life, he has endeavored to keep 
a tender conscience towards God and man ; but like 
other sojourners in this vale of terrjptation and sin, 
he has nothing to boast of, but much to regret. And 
now, before he goes hence to be here no more, he 
affectionately leaves this little Volume, in hoj)e that i 
it may j3rove useful and acceptable to his friends and i 
countrymen, upon whom, and also upon this work, 
he imj)lores the guidance and blessing of Heaven. 

Brattleboro', Vermont, ) 
Januat-y l..i, A. D. 1842. \ 



GENERAL INDEX. 

[FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS AT THE END OF THE VOLUME.] 



CHAPTER I. 

Politics — our government — constitution — laws — ex- 
hibiting some useful views and reflections upon each ; 
and a full view of our national constitution, with ex- 
planations and comments — historical, political, legal 
and admonitory. 

CHAPTER II. 

Useful and practical hints, and views in relation to the 
most prevalent crimes and offences, and penalties 
attached to them, with remarks upon moral and legal 
obligation, and upon the influence of habit, early 
impressions, popular errors, false delicacy, sensi- 
bility, &c. 

CHAPTER III. 

General views and suggestions on national justice and 
policy, and our political and business concerns and 
prospects, and various relations in life ; and also upon 
some deeply interesting points in religion, morals, 
education, temperance, slavery, &c. 



Vlll GENERAL INDEX. 

CHAPTER IV. 

National gratitude and justice, exemplified in the case 
of Gen. Lafayette's visit to the United States in 
1824, with some interesting notices of that great man, 
and of his cordial reception, which should be kept in 
remembrance by Americans. 



CHAPTEE I. 



Politic?!— Dili Government— Constitution — Laws — Exhibiting some 
useful Views, and Reflections upon each ; and a full View of our 
National Constitution, with Explanations and Comments, Histor- 
ical, Political, Legal, and Admonitory. 



" If god prosper tjs, we shall here begin a work that 
shall last for ages : — we shall plant here a new society, 
in the principles of the fullest liberty, and the purest 
RELIGION." — Webster on the settlement of JSTew England, 



In our country, these are truly interesting and 
absorbing topics of conversation and discussion. 
Perhaps the citizens of the United States feel 
a deeper interest in, and more generally examine 
and canvass the political affairs of their country, 
than those of any other people, — settled as this 
land was, by the stern advocates of liberty, 
who here sought a retreat from the shackles 
and persecutions of Europe, and were nurtured 
in the love and doctrines of freedom and enter- 
prise. Having early established their national 
independence, and based their civil and relig- 
ious rights and privileges upon the best possi- 
ble foundation ; nothing seems more to engross 
their feelings and ambition, their untiring efforts 
and watchfulness, than the full and permanent 
preservation of these precious rights and im- 
munities, to themselves and posterity. 

Hence, upon this great subject they are ex- 



10 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

tremely sensitive, and even jealous. Every 
sentinient and measure advanced, supposed to 
affect in any way the great and vital charter of 
their liberties, is met and scanned with severe 
scrutiny. And it required all the influence of 
Washington and his illustrious associates, to 
bring about the adoption of our present admira- 
ble national constitution and government, lest the 
abandonment of the old loose confederacy, and 
the substitution of one clothed with more com- 
petent power, might endanger their dear-bought 
liberties. 

But through that precious influence, and the 
joint efforts of some of the ablest and most en- 
lightened patriots and statesmen that ever hon- 
ored this or any other country, that necessary and 
important measure was effected in 17S9 : and 
George Washington, the most distinguished per- 
sonage of the age, was placed in the presidential 
chair, amidst the spontaneous acclamations of 
our countrymen. Under his prudent and wise ad- 
ministration the machinery of our new govern- 
ment was put in operation, and the novel and 
splendid process of a well-balanced republican 
system of government went into successful 
operation. 

This system of government, an improvement 
upon all antecedent ones, has hitherto triumphed 
over all the sanguine predictions against it. 
For though " the sea of liberty is tempestuous," 
yet it speaks better things than '' the dead calm 
of despotism." 

We have encountered occasional o^ales and 



TRIBUTE TO MX" COUNTRY. 11 

breakers in our course ; and the storms and 
tornadoes which have overturned nations and 
other governments, have agitated and assailed 
ours ; and the insurrectionary movements which 
spring up from the restless and evil passions of 
men, have visited some sections of this happy 
republic. But our national ship has, in the 
main, behaved well, and through the blessing 
of Heaven, out-ridden every tempest, and con- 
tinues to sail with high promise along the broad 
ocean of '* successful experiment." 

Ours is a government of law, and definitely 
marked regulations. All are alike amenable 
to these laws, from the highest to the lowest, 
and alike enjoy their protection. Here, none 
are elevated above their reach and penalties, 
and none depressed below them ; unless it may 
be the colored class, yet held in servitude 
through the unwise and ever-to-be-lamented 
usages of former years, and the laws and insti- 
tutions of the states where they principally 
reside. 

Since this admirable system of govern- 
ment has been in operation, the advocates of 
rational liberty have had abundant cause to 
rejoice in the consummation of their hopes ; 
and the several states have looked upon it as 
their sheet anchor and political ark of safety ; 
and have prospered under its benign and salu- 
tary influence and protection. In its wise, 
comprehensive and guardian provisions, they 
love to associate the name, character and untir- 
ing patriotism of their political father ; and to 



12 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

compare its well-arranged lineaments and 
happy results, with the other governments of 
the world, with complacency and honest pride. 

Many of the principles and provisions em- 
bodied in this constitution were derived from 
the English Magna Ckarta and Government. 
Descended principally from Great Britain, and 
enjoying a constant intercourse with that en- 
lightened and enterprising people, among 
whom a love of liberty and science had long 
prevailed, it was natural for this people to look 
to their institutions and experience for aid, in 
adopting a measure involving such vital impor- 
tance to themselves and posterity : v/hile at the 
same time a clear view of the evils and dan- 
gers emanating from other features and defects 
apparent in their system, and in the govern- 
ments of other nations, should lead the sfreat 
founders of our constitution to interpose ample 
and permanent provisions and safe-guards 
against such evils. 

Our President selected and elected by special 
electors, chosen by the freemen of all the States, 
in proportion to their population, once in four 
years, is considered a more safe and appropri- 
ate head of the nation, than a monarch or ruler 
cast upon us by blind descent. In one case, 
an enlightened and deeply interested commu- 
nity can exercise a prudent discretion and 
choice — in the other, the eligible offspring or 
connection of the sovereign, however wise or 
unwise, is raised to the throne, ex natu. In 
the one case, a sense of gratitude and respon- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 13 

sibility will bear with great and salutary in- 
fluence upon the mind of the exalted ruler ; 
while in the other, there is evidently much less 
motive and occasion for such feelings. In the 
one case, should the electors and people be de- 
ceived, or imposed upon, the next election can 
peacefully and promptly remedy the evil ; in 
the other, violence and revolution can alone 
effect it. 

Our constitution secures to the country a man 
of experience, (thirty-five years of age at least,) 
and also of acquaintance with our country and 
its institutions, by a residence of at least four- 
teen years. It makes him the head of the re- 
public, and its army and navy. It lodges in his 
hands suitable checks upon the legislature, by 
way of non-approval and a qualified veto upon 
their acts ; but limits those checks, so that the 
deliberate and decided voice of the representa- 
tives of the people may ultimately prevail. The 
executive power, in appointments to office, so 
convenient and proper, is also regulated and 
restrained in the agency and power of the sen- 
ate, of approval or rejection. And the liability 
of this great officer to impeachment and re- 
moval, before the senate, for abuse of power, 
must always manifest the sovereignty of impar- 
tial law, and serve as a powerful bulwark 
against executive mal-conduct and tyranny. 

In our national Senate^ the several States are 
equally and happily represented, and that as 
States, without regard to size, wealth, or pop- 
ulation. This was designed to secure the in- 
2 



14 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

fluence and independence of the Stale sove- 
reignties, and to prevent the overwhelming 
influence of the opulent and powerful ones. It 
serves also as a most salutary check upon the 
more popular and numerous branch of Congress, 
the direct representatives of the people, in case 
of precipitous sectional or party legislation, as 
all laws must have its concurrence. 

The Constitution has secured to this branch 
of Congress, the benefit of experience and 
matured age, (thirty years being the minimum 
age of a Senator,) and the advantage and dig- 
nity of a convenient, select number, only two 
being allowed for each State. And in this less 
numerous and cumbersome body of experienced 
statesmen, is wisely lodged, in concert with 
the President, the power of making all impor- 
tant appointments to office, and the ratification 
of treaties with foreign powers. And to this 
dignified branch is intrusted the business of 
trying impeachments, both of the President and 
members of Congress. But here again is 
exhibited the watchfulness and jealousy of the 
people against persecution and tyranny ; for 
this power of impeachment extends only to 
removal from office, and disqualification to hold 
and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit, 
under the United States. 

As well here, as in Great Britain, and in 
some other countries, the representative or pop- 
ular branch, is by far the most numerous. 

The House of Representatives is a popular 
and sectional, not a state representation, em'a- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 15 

Hating directly from the people, at the short 
period of two years. Originally, one represen- 
tative was allowed to about thirt}'' thousand cit- 
izens : but to provide against too unwieldly a 
representation, provision is made for graduating 
and limiting the number within certain definite 
bounds ; and at present, a representative is 
allowed to every forty-seven thousand, or there- 
abouts. 

Less regard is had to the age and experi- 
ence of these direct agents or representatives of 
the people. They must however be twenty-five 
years of age, and must be inhabitants of the 
States in which they are chosen. They, and 
also direct taxes, shall be apportioned among 
the States according to their respective num- 
bers ; and to the number of free persons, three- 
fifths of bondmen and Indians are to be reck- 
oned in this apportionment ; and to regulate 
this, an actual enumeration or census is to be 
taken every ten years. 

All bills for raising revenue, shall originate 
in the House of Representatives, but the con- 
currence of the Senate is necessary in case of 
all laws. 

Congress, thus constituted, have power to 
lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and 
excises ; to pay the debts, and provide for the 
common defence and general welfare of the 
United States. To borrow money, to regulate 
commerce with foreign nations, and among the 
different States. To establish a rule of natu- 
ralization, and laws in relation to bankruptcy. 



16 TRIBUTE TO MY COU^'TRY. 

To coin money and regulate its value, and 
that of foreign coin — to fix a standard of 
weights and measures — to provide for the 
punishment for counterfeiting the coin and 
securities of the United States. To establish 
post offices and post roads. To promote the 
progress of science and useful arts, by securing 
to authors and inventors the right to their 
works. To constitute courts inferior to the 
Supreme Court. To define and punish pira- 
cies, and offences against the laws of nations. 
To declare war, and regulate marque, reprisal, 
and captures. To raise and support armies, 
and provide and maintain a navy, and estab- 
lish rules for the regulation and government of 
each. 

The negations and prohibitory provisions of 
the Constitution, are equally explicit. It pro- 
vides for the great and popular writ of right, 
habeas corpus, which is not to be suspended 
except in the extreme cases of rebellion and 
invasion, when the public safety may require 
its temporary suspension ; and declares, that 
no bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall 
be passed. That no capitation or direct tax 
shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census 
or enumeration. That no tax or duty shall be 
laid on articles exported from any State, and 
no preference be given to the ports of any 
State. That no money shall be drawn from 
the Treasury, but as express law shall direct. 
And statements of the receipts and expendi- 
tures are to be published from time to time. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 17 

That no title of nobility shall be granted, and 
all officers of the United States are prohibited 
from accepting any presents, emoluments, 
office, or title from any foreign king, prince or 
foreign state, without the consent of Congress. 

The Constitution prohibits the States from 
entering into any treaty, alliance, or confedera- 
tion : — from granting letters of marque and 
reprisal — coining money — emitting bills of 
credit — from making any thing but specie a 
tender — passing any hill of attainder^ or ex 
post facto \^w — or law impairing the obliga- 
tion of contracts — or granting any title of 
nobility. 

It also prohibits the States from laying any 
imposts or duties, except what may be abso- 
lutely necessary for executing their inspection 
laws ; and the nett produce of such shall be 
for the use of the United States : — and Con- 
gress is to have the control of such special reg- 
ulations in the States. 

No State is to lay any duty of tonage, keep 
troops or ships of war in time of peace ; or 
enter into any agreement or compact with 
another State, or with a foreign power, or 
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in 
such imminent danger as will not admit of 
delay. 

The mode of electing the president and vice 

president, is clearly pointed out in the original 

constitution, and an amendatory article, adopted 

by the States. They are elected for a term of 

2^ 



IS TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

four years, but are eligible for farther election.*' 
To the president is intrusted the important 
power of granting reprieves and pardons for 
offences against the United States, except in 
cases of impeachment. Also by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, to make 
treaties, (two thirds of the Senators present con- 
curring) — and to nominate, and w^ith the like 
advice and consent, to appoint ambassadors and 
other public ministers and consuls — ^judges of 
the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the 
United States, whose appointments are not 
otherwise provided for, and established by law. 
And he is required from time to time, to give 
to Congress information of the State of the 
Union ; and recommend to their consideration, 
such measures as he shall judge necessary and 
expedient. He is empowered, on extraordinary 
occasions, to convene both houses or either. 
He is to receive ambassadors and other public 
ministers — see the laws faithfully executed, 
and commission the United States officers. 

The Judicial Power of the United States 
shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and ad- 
equate inferior courts to be established by Con- 
gress. The judges are to hold their offices 
during good behavior; and to have cognizance 
of all cases arising under the constitution — the 

*And in case of the death, resignation or removal of the President, 
or of his inability to discharfre the powers and duties of the said office, 
the same shall devolve on the vice president ; and Congress may by 
law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability, 
both of the president and vice president, declaring what officer shall 
then act as president ; and such officer sliall act accordingly, until the 
disability be removed, or a president shall be elected. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 19 

laws of the United States, and treaties — also of 
those affecting ambassadors, and other public 
.ministers and consuls — also of admiralty and 
maritime cases ; and those to which the United 
States shall be a party — and controversies be- 
tween two or more states. 

The right of trial hy Jury is secured ; and 
trials are to be held in the states where the 
crimes shall have been committed. 

The Constitution guards against the dangers 
and evils of mere constructive treason, by a full 
and definite description of that crime, viz. : 
*' Treason against the United States shall con- 
sist only in levying war against them, or in 
adhering to their enem.ies, giving them aid and 
comfort — and no person shall be convicted of 
treason, unless on the testimony of two wit- 
nesses to the same overt act, or on confession in 
open court." Congress is to declare the pun- 
ishment of this crime, but no attainder of 
treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeit- 
ure, except during the life of the person 
attainted. 

The Constitution prescribes that full faith 
shall be given in each State, to the public acts 
and records, and judicial proceedings of other 
States ; and secures to citizens of each State, all 
the privileges and immunities of citizens in the 
several States. 

To guard against evading punishment, by 
fleeing to other states, provision is made for de- 
livering up those refugees to the states from 
which they escape, or those states having juris- 



20 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

diction of their crimes ; and also for delivering 
over to the legal claimant such as are held to 
labor or service. 

It provides for the admission of new states 
into the union ; and guaranties to each state a 
republican form of Government, and protection 
against invasion, and on proper application, 
protection against domestic violence. It pro- 
vides for amendments to the Constitution itself, 
upon application of the legislatures of two thirds 
of the states, or two thirds of both Houses of 
Congress; which before they become valid, 
must be ratified by two thirds of the states. 

The Constitution, and laws of the United 
States made in pursuance of it ; and all treaties, 
duly entered into, and ratified under the au- 
thority of the United States, are made the su- 
preme law of the land. 

No religious tests are required as a qualifica- 
tion to any office ; but those appointed to office, 
as also the members of Congress, and all judi- 
cial and executive officers, shall be under oath 
for the faithful discharge of their trusts and 
offices, as well as to support the Constitution. 

The same anxiety and determination to pre- 
serve the rights and liberties of the citizens, 
which led them to independence, is again man- 
ifested in the several amendments urged by 
them, and duly adopted, and incorporated into 
our Constitution in 1789 ; substantially as fol- 
lows : 

That Congress shall not establish religion, 
or abridge the freedom of speech or the press, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 21 

or the right of the people to assemble and peti- 
tion Government for a redress of grievances. 
The right of the people to keep and bear arms, 
and against the quartering of soldiers in their 
domicils, and security against unreasonable 
searches and seizures, are all specially guaran- 
tied. Securing them also from prosecutions for 
capital or infamous crime, unless on a present- 
ment of a grand jury — also from more than one 
conviction for the same offence, and from bear- 
ing witness against themselves ; (a usage still 
practiced in some leading civilized nations,) 
and securing to all persons the protection of 
law, as to life, liberty and property ; and the 
right to a speedy and public trial in case of 
criminal prosecutions by an impartial jury of 
the vicinity or state and district where the crime 
was committed. Also the privilege to be in- 
formed of the nature and cause of the accusa- 
tion, and of being confronted with the witnesses 
against them, and of compulsory process for 
obtaining witnesses in their favor ; — and also of 
counsel for their defence. 

Excessive bail and fines, and cruel and un- 
usual punishments are prohibited ;* and the 
powers not delegated to the general government 
by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the 
States, are reserved to the States respectively 
or to the people. 

Thus we see with what wisdom and care, the 
framers of our national constitution and govern- 

* All burning of slaves and others, and every species of cruel or 
barbarous punishment, are clearly against the Constitution. 



22 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

ment have provided for the welfare, safety 
and liberty of the people ; and with what abili- 
ty and perspicuity they have marked out, es- 
tablished and guarded our great charter of lib- 
erty, government and national law. 

Under this constitution, nice and interesting 
questions have arisen, and may hereafter arise, 
in respect to state and national rights, and the 
pouters conferred upon Congress, by express 
letter or implication.* These as they arise 

* Some considerable disagreement and controversy have occasion- 
ally divided and agitated our citizens and statesmen relative to the 
power or right of Congress to charter and regulate banks, to make 
appropriations for internal improvements, and to encourage and pro- 
tect our manufacturing and other national interests by laws regulat- 
ing the tariff. 

This power is neither expressly included nor excluded in the con- 
stitution, but fairly implied, if not incorporated, in the clauses to 
regulate commerce, and to make all laws necessary and profjfr to 
give full exercise and efficiency to all powers contained in the Con- 
stitution. And a properly regulated banking system seems to be a 
necessary means in the fiscal operations of tbe government, and it 
lias more than once met the assent of Congress, and the adjudicated 
approval of the supreme court of the United States. 

The southern States have generally been opposed to all such 
measures, notwithstanding many of their ablest statesmen have ad- 
mitted that Congress is clothed with competent authority to estab- 
lish and regulate banks and to foster internal industry and improve- 
ments, to a certain extent. But when the great question came up, i 
during the latter part of Mr. Adams' and the early part of Mr. Jack- 
son's administrations, whether our numerous manufacturing estab- | 
lishments and interest shouhi be sustained by a reasonable tariff of 
duties upon foreign importations ; and after the passage of such a 
law, the whole south, and especially South Carolina, became in- 
censed, and that State even threatened and organized resistance to 
the collection of the duties imposed by the law. They contended for 
the right as States thus to resist, vvhen a State should judge a meas- 
ure to be unconstitutional, whatever might be the opinion of Con- 
gress or the judiciary. 

This principle, or theory, designated by the term vullif cation, was 
zealously and ingeniously advocated by General Hnyne, a senator 
from South Carolina, and a distinguished and leading statesman and 
orator, and by many othpr southern members. It was, however, ably 
and successfully answered and rebutted by members from different 
p irts of the Union, and in a signal manner, by Ah: Webster, a senator 
from Massachusetts. Mr. Webster, in the course of his celebrated 






TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 23 

wiP be fully examined, and we trust amicably- 
adjusted, by a people jealous of their rights, and 
anxious to sustain and perpetuate their admira- 
ble and cherished system of government. 

Our system of constitutional, federal, state 
and statute laws, is no less complex and broad, 
than provident and excellent. For our refer- 
ences to the constitution, laws and terms, and 
practice of Great Britain, and the adoption of 
many principles and usages of that people, in 
the regulation of our civil and judicial concerns-, 
both national and state, are all to be regarded, 
and ought to be well understood by our states- 
men, civilians, and jurists, and by all concerned 
in the administration of the government, and 
the citizens at large should acquaint themselves 
with the general principles and laws under 
which they live, as a means of securing their 
own rights, and preserving the constitution, in- 
stitutions, and liberties of our country. 

The propitious result of our experiment in a 
republican constitutional government, and our 
rich hopes and faith in its permanent success, 
may be attributed in a great measure to the 
general intelligence of our citizens, and the 
favorable circumstances under which our polit- 

speeches on that occasion, presented such a picture of the effect and 
operation of such a doctrine reduced to practice, that made even the 
brave South Carolinian champion writhe under the exhibition. Well 
mi<?ht Mr. Webster compare our Constitution, thus mangled and de- 
hilhsiied, to a rope of sand. After South Carolina had proceeded to 
organize a State military force to resist the operation of the law in 
that State ; and after much heat and alarm, and a spirited proclama- 
tion from President Jackson, the opposition was finally abandoned. 
And now the affair lives in remembrance, as a sort of mate or sister 
to the Hartford Convention. 



24 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

ical existence and this excellent system com- 
menced, united with the wisdom and purity of 
our ancestors and revolutionary patriots and 
fathers. 

And our progress thus far has indeed been a 
proud one for the friends and advocates of 
rational and constitutional liberty, and govern- 
ment ; redeeming and rescuing the great 
cause from the alarm and reproach which the 
abortive efforts of other republics and nations 
have unhappily brought upon it, in many parts 
of the world ; and has probably been instru- 
mental in the salutary modifications and 
improvements in many of the governments of 
the world. 

After the adoption of our Constitution by the 
States, a new impulse and character was given 
to the Union ; and a system of laws, prescribed 
by Congress, now clothed with the necessary 
and competent powers, by degrees came into 
existence. The leading statutes Vv'ere directed 
to the establishment and due regulation of the 
various departments of the government, to the 
regulation and adjustment of our foreign and 
domestic business and relations, and to the 
settlement of our national oblig-ations and debts. 

During the administration of Washington^ 
the French revolution commenced, creating 
great excitement and agitation, not only in 
Europe, but in America. Its object seemed to 
be, an amelioration of the monarchical govern- 
ment of France, and the introduction of a mod- 
ified republican system somewhat resembling 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 25 

our own. Louis XVI., a mild king, and much 
beloved in this country, was on the throne, and 
was induced from motives of feeling or accom- 
modation, to acquiesce in some modifications 
and limitations of the powers, in the existing 
government. And General Lafayette standing 
still higher in our affections, for his signal 
assistance and gallant conduct during our rev- 
olutionary war, was considered as the most 
efficient instrument in the movement. In its 
incipient state, both President Washington, and 
our citizens generally, manifested much zeal 
and sympathy in favor of the Eevolution, as 
paving the way for the establishment of repub- 
lican liberty through the world. Under the 
existing circumstances, this sympathy was nat- 
ural, and when Washington, in answer to the 
ardent expressions of the French people, of love 
and friendship to the American people, through 
one of their ministers to this Eepublic, styled 
them a " wonderful people," it met the hearty 
response of our citizens. 

But subsequent measures and developements, 
connected w^ith their civil dissensions and mas- 
sacres, the cruel execution of Louis and most 
of his family, and even the sacrifice of Lafay- 
ette himself, alienated and alarmed the saga- 
cious mind of Washington, and many of the 
best statesmen and citizens of the United 
States. Still, a strong party in this country 
overlooked these things, and pertinaciously 
adhered to the Revolutionists. Hence arose a 
bitter state of party spirit, originating-, and in 
3 



26 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

a great measure cherished, by the contentions 
and wars in Europe. 

The Revolutionists in France claimed and 
insisted upon our assistance, as due for the 
former assistance rendered by France, and as 
co-workers in the cause of liberty ; and through 
their Minister here, actually began to enlist 
volunteers at the southw^ard, and middle States, 
where the French party principally prevailed. 
England remonstrated against this procedure, 
and Washington declared our national neutral- 
ity, which w^as enforced as far as possible under 
existing feeling and circumstances. 

This difficulty, coupled w^ith some impolitic 
measures of Congress, during the administra- 
tion of Mr. Adams, the successor of General 
Washington, led to a most unhappy and bitter 
political controversy and division, which agi- 
tated our country till the war of 1812 : and finally 
rendered the general appellation of federalists, 
very appropriately applied to the early adminis- 
trators of our government and their adhering 
supporters, extremely unpopular. And the dem- 
ocratic or French party soon gained ascen- 
dancy by the election of Mr, Jefferson^ who was 
considered the head of the party. 

During this period, from the latter part of 
Washington's administration, and the w^hole 
term of the elder Mr. Adams, much bitterness 
and political violence agitated this country ; 
and an actual insurrection, called the whiskey 
rehellion^ broke out in the western part of 
Pennsylvania. But this was soon put down by 
the influence and energy of Washington. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 27 

Many of our statesmen and citizens doubtless 
were honest in their opposite sentiments and 
views, during these trying times and events. 
That kind feeling and sympathy which origina- 
ted in the interposition and assistance of France 
during our then recent revolutionary struggle ; 
and that spirit of hostility and hatred which 
the same struggle created against Great Britain, 
not a little exaggerated by a series of annual 
addresses and philippics every where poured 
forth at the July celebrations of our national 
independence, were well calculated to foster 
and prolong that acrimonious feeling against 
Great Britain, and the most decided partiality 
in favor of the French.^ These things, with 

* Viewing the continuance of this practice as both unjust and im- 
politic, and considering this once popular thenne of declamation as 
stale and unpleasant •, and that as a fair and magnanimous people, we 
ought to lay aside old grudges and bitterness, and treat Great Britain 
like other nations, as "enemies in war, in peace, friends," I delivered 
an address on the 4th of July, 1829, at Brattleboro', (Vt.) from which 
I subjoin an extract : " The world begins to understand that civil and 
religious liberty is established in the West, in the new world, as our 
Continent is often called, and that not only ' law, liberty and order,' 
but peace, plenty and enterprise, all conspicuously blend in the circle 
of our blessings, and emphatically distinguish us, as a ' land flowing 
with milk and honey.' To such a people, the eyes ol'the world and 
the desires of mankind will be directed. As the madness, envy and 
cupidity of other nations assail us — as commercial jealousies, rival- 
ships and collisions disturb us — as ponderous freights of restless, dar- 
ing foreigners are borne upon our shores — and as the more to be 
dreaded domestic luxury, feuds, ambition and intrigue, with every 
species of corruption, spread around us their poisonous and destructive 
influences, it will require all the just sanction of laws, human and 
divine, — all the deepest concern and solicitude of the good, the be- 
nevolent and enterprising — and all the mild influence of moral and 
religious education to sustain our beloved country, her moral habits 
and character, and various salutary institutions. And happy, tl rice 
happy I shall we be, if by watchfulness, stability and wisdom, we apply 
the all-necessary preservatives, and uniting heart and hand in the great 
work of national improvement and security, escape the contaminating 
and destructive inroads of such besetting evils, upon our peace and 
welfare. 



28 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

the seizures and impressments by British cruis- 
ers, gave the democratic party an ascendancy for 
a long course of years ; and finally led to our 
second war with England in 1812. This w^ar 
took place, during the administration of Mr. 
Madison of Virginia ; a statesman distinguished 
for many virtues, and a high grade in literary 
and political talents, however fortunate or un- 
fortunate may have been this war measure. 
This war, although extremely unpopular with a 
great portion of our countrymen, who deemed it 
a rash, impolitic, and almost suicidal measure, 
neutralized and in a great degree dissipated 
that long-cherished bitterness of party ; and 
essentially obviated the opposition of our south- 
ern brethren to a naval power for the protection 
of our country and its commerce, as well as that 
dominant asperity among them, towards the 
British nation: and was succeeded by the mild 
and popular administrations of Mr. Monroe and 
John Q. Adams. 

"It is of vastly more importance and interest to these states, to learn 
and practice the maxims of jusiice and sound policy — to cultivate the 
arts and sciences, and to cherish the great practical interests of our 
country, than to gratify and nourish a spirit of hatred and revenge 
towards our parent country or other nations : — or to foster the narrow 
feelings of pride and national vanity. For it will matter hut little 
what may have heen the feelings and conduct of either, during the 
Revolution, if hy our folly and corruption, we forfeit our fair prospects 
and high standing, and, deaf to the voice of experience and wisdom, 
plunge into that ruin and misery, which national profligacy is sure to 
produce. 

" ' Righteousness exalteth a nation,' ought to be engraven as with 
the poin^ of a diamond, on every American heart. Our numbers, our 
extent of territory, our power and our wealth, will be of little avail 
towards our happiness and permanency, in the absence of the peace, 
safety and integrity of our country. And nations, when basking in 
the arms of prosperity and profusion, are too prone to supineness and 
luxury, and ceasing to prize their privileges and blessings, too often 
lose them." 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 29 

But during the latter part of Mr. Adams' 
administration, new subjects and elements of 
party discord unexpectedly burst forth, ema- 
nating probably as much from political ambition 
and sectional views and feelings, as from the 
tariff and manufacturing question and policy, 
and other alleged causes. This new party 
organization led to the election of General 
Jackson to the presidency, and a variety of 
experimental measures and political excite- 
ment, which have deeply affected us to the 
present day. 

The political revolution of 1801 involved 
somewhat of principle, and much foreign influ- 
ence. That of 1829, neither principle nor 
foreign influence ; but party ambition, and 
much sectional feeling and policy. The mild 
and regular policy and measures of Mr. John 
Q. Adams' administration, presented but few 
chances for the aspiring and ambitious. Ee- 
movals from oflice were '' few and far between," 
and appointments were made from a regard to 
v^orth and talent, rather than the clamorous 
importunity of aspirants and oflice seekers. 

Again, the project of removing the Indians 
from the southern and south-w^estern states was 
zealously set on foot about this time. The In- 
dians in Georgia, Alabama and adjacent regions 
possessed large tracts of land, and were begin- 
ning improvements thereon. Schools w^ere es- 
tablished among them, and the benevolent 
efforts to civilize and enlighten them, began to 
indicate symptoms of hopeful advancement. 
3^ 



30 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

They were considered by the inhabitants of 
those states as a nuisance, and the inducements 
to get rid of them and possess their lands, led 
the citizens of the states and regions thus inter- 
ested, to a course of measures against the na- 
tives, and all who espoused their cause and 
defence, marked by harshness and severity. 

A treaty or agreement was effected with a 
portion of these Indians, favoring a cession and 
removal ; but it was strongly opposed and re- 
sisted by the greater part of them, who denied 
all participation in the treaty, declared it frau- 
dulent and wicked, and publicly executed the 
chief most active in its production. The atten- 
tion of our government, then under the admin- 
istration of Mr. J. Q. Adams, and also of the 
supreme court of the United States, was called 
to the controversy ; and they hesitated to sanc- 
tion the measures in operation for forcing the 
Indians from their ancient homes and posses- 
sions. Hence a powerful and determined sec- 
tion of the country formed a union in opposing 
the reelection of Mr. Adams ; and effected their 
object. The south also apprehended that Mr. 
Adams was too favorably inclined to the great 
manufacturing interests of the Union. ^ The 

* On the subject of our manufactures, especially the working up of 
our cotton and wool, it only needs another war or non-intercourse to 
make our warm-hearted and mistaken southern brethren their warm- 
est advocates and supporters. Durin^: the former troubles and war 
with Great Britain, all articles of goods and clothing so generally im- 
ported from abroad for southern use, became exorbitantly higli and 
scarce. Most of the goods and merchandise which got into the coun- 
try, were procured through the daring maritime captures or smug- 
gling of the northern or middle States. What a relief and conven- 
ience would our present means of manufacturing have afforded to the 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 31 

hue and cry raised against him of corruptiont 
and extravagance, was a mere emanation from 
these movements, and gained but little credence, 
except in the lowest ranks, even among the 
most credulous. The grand object of his over- 
throw was glanced at by the late Vice Presi- 
dent, Mr. Johnson, a distinguished soldier and 
politician, and favorite of his party, when he 
made the declaration, that Mr, Adams and his 
party must he put down^ if pure as the angels. 

It is but justice however to say, that under 
the Monroe and Adams administrations, a sys- 
tem of prudence and economy was pursued, by 
which an immense national debt was nearly 



immense south and west? Our cotton and sheep-growing regions, 
with our busy looms and spindles, would huve cheered the country. 
And ai all times, this process and union 'may be highly Leneficial, if 
rightly viewed and regulated, both to the north and to the south. 

f The leading charge of corruption, and which was systematically 
spread throughout the country, and made a common topic in all oppo- 
sition circles, was the support of Mr. Clay, and his appointment as 
Secretary of Sta'e, by Mr. Adams. The frank, warm and honorable 
feelings of Mr. Clay must have been severely tried by this haisli and 
reckless charge — notwithstanding he was aware of the political ob- 
ject in view, and was able promptly to bring forward the most clear 
proof, that his opposition to General Jackson was decisive and fixed, 
long before this event. I cannot better give my views of this affair, 
than by inserting an extract from the address alluded to i.n pnge 25, 
on the fourth of July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine. 

" And now, corruption ! Corruption in the appointment of Mr* 
Clay, is the sweeping accusation, both against Mr. Adams and his 
Secretary. And is this all .'' What generous and consistent republi- 
can opponents ! Who should Mr. Adams have selected .'* Who 
stood higher in the genuine lepuhlican ranks ; or hnd done more 
as a first-rate statesman, than this Mr. Clayl He was the pride and 
ornament of the west, and the favorite of all — tlie uniform advocate 
of the preceding republican administrations, of liberty at home and 
abroad — and of our numerous useful and precious institutions. But 
he had taken counsel of his own great and independent mind, and 
frankly preferred, as President, that learned and talented patriot, 
John Q,. Adams, to the mighty hero of New Orleans ! " 



32 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

annihilated, and the peace and harmony of the 
country were essentially promoted. That the 
liberal and equitable pension system, allowing 
generally to the remaining ofBcers and soldiers 
of the revolution, an annuity during life, was 
adopted under the administration of Mr. Mon- 
roe, and on his recommendation — and that, 
however General Jackson and his successor, 
Mr. Van Buren, may have erred in relation to 
certain measures and the currency affairs, they 
both supported a prudent and dignified course 
of policy and measures with foreign powers ; 
and were fortunate and successful in those 
measures. 

The excitement and divisions, that grew out 
of these measures, with some other causes and 
pressures, led to the recent election of General 
William H. Harrison to the presidency, and a 
complete triumph of the opposition to the ad- 
ministration and measures of Mr. Van Buren, 
on the fourth of March, one thousand eight 
hundred and forty-one. This revolution and 
triumph, and the calm and reasonable manner 
in which it has been borne by the great body of 
the citizens, even of different parties, show the 
practicability, and indicate the permanency, of 
our republican government and institutions in 
the United States, howsoever they may suc- 
ceed elsewhere. 

This triumph of the Harrison or whig party, 
has been signally damped by the sudden de- 
cease of President Harrison, one month after 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 



33 



his inauguration.^ But the general grief and 
sympathy of the people, manifested by all 
parties and classes on this unexpected and 
mournful event, is honorable to the American 
character ; and may auspiciously affect the ad- 
ministration of Mr. Tyler, on whom, as Vice 
President, the arduous and responsible duties 
attached to the Presidency devolve. 

Names of the States composing the Union 
when the constitution was adopted in 1799. 

New Hampshire Delaware 

Massachusetts Maryland 

Rhode Island Virginia 

Connecticut North Carolina 

New York South Carolina 

New Jersey Georgia 
Pennsylvania 

The States since admitted. 

Kentucky Lousiania 

Vermont Mississippi 

Ohio Illinois 

Tennessee Alabama 

Maine Missouri 

Indiana Arkansas 
Michigan 

Population of the United States, according to 
the two last enumerations, namely : 

States. JVo. in 1830. JYb. in 1840. Capitals. 

Maine 399,955 501,793 

New Hampshire 269,328 284,574 

Vermont 280,652 291,948 

Massachusetts 610,408 737,699 5 ^93%°.^' 



*Thi3 is the first instance, since the organization of our govern- 
ment, of the decease of a President while in the office. 



34 



TRIBTJTE TO MY COUNTRY. 



States. 

Rhode Island 

Connecticut 

New York 

New Jersey 

Pennsylvania 

Delaware 

Maryland 

Virginia 

North Carolina 

South Carolina 

Georgia 

Alabama 

Mississippi 

Louisiana 

Tennessee 

Kentucky 

Missouri 

Ohio 

Indiana 

Illinois 

Michigan 

Arkansas 

Territories. 

Dist. of Columbia 

Florida 

Wisconsin 

Iowa 



^'o. in 1830. 

97,199 
297,665 

1,918,608 
320,823 

1,348,233 

76,748 

447,040 

1,211.405 
737.987 
581,185 
516.823 
309,527 
136,621 
215,739 
681.904 
687,917 
140,445 
937,903 
343,031 
157,455 
31 ,639 
30,388 



39,834 
34,730 



Ko. in 1840. Capitals. 

108,830 
309,978 

2,428,921 ^ ^^^i77?o^^- 
373,306 

1,724,033 ^PHILADELPHIA. 

78,085 
469,232 I 
1.239,737 ' 
753,419 
594.398 
691 .392 
590,756 
375,651 

352,411 PEW ORLEANS 



BALTIMORE. 
10^,313. 



829,210 

779,828 
383,702 
1,519,467 ^ 
685,866 
476,183 
212.267 
97,574 



43.712 
54,477 
30,945 
43,112 



102,193. 



CINCINNATI. 
46,338. 



Aggregate, 12,866,920 17,062,566 



CHAPTER II. 

Useful and practical hints and views, in relation to the most preva- 
lent crimes and offences, and penalties attached to them — with 
remarks upon moral and legal obligation ; and upon the influence of 
habit, early impressions, popular errors, false delicacy, affected 
sensibility, Sec. 

In a government like ours, comprising one 
general, and many subordinate, and to a certain 
extent, independent systems or state sovereign- 
ties, the laws must of course partake of this 
compound and variegated character. 

The general government, constituted as a 
grand permanent regulator of the union, is au- 
thorized to pass all laws within its appropriate 
sphere ; but most of the laws regulating and 
guarding the rights and privileges of the citi- 
zens, depend upon the several states ; and hence 
are brought into exercise, systems and legal 
codes of municipal laws numerous as the 
states, all perhaps somewhat variant ; yet hap- 
pily assimilated through the influence and force 
of our federal constitution, and admitted general 
principles and rights ; and the benign light and 
sanctions of divine truth, so generally diffused 
through the land, sustaining and expanding the 
great and indispensable blessings of civil and 
religious liberty and order. And all these laws 
and regulations, general and state, must be so 
carefully and wisely arranged, as to accord with 
the several constitutions, in all their applica- 



86 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

tions, and also with the great and paramount 
Constitution of the Union. 

Hence the subject of Slavery in the States, 
(national slavery not existing in the United 
States,) is under the control of the state gov- 
ernments where it exists. Also the laws regu- 
lating public worship and education, and all 
those subjects of internal police, and ordinary 
municipal regulation, not transferred to Con- 
gress by the provisions of our federal constitu- 
tion. 

It is not designed by the author, to analyze 
and explain the great and stupendous system of 
national and municipal law. This has been 
most admirably done by several of the ablest 
jurists and civilians of Europe and America. 
And very recently, by one of our countrymen, 
whose laborious researches and lucid and learn- 
ed commentaries, constitute a precious legacy 
to this republic ; and will justly enrol his name 
among the guardians and benefactors of man- 
kind.* My object is to place before the young 
men of this great and enterprising nation, a 
clear and compendious view of several prevalent 
offences and crimes, prejudices and moral de- 
fects, which unhappily disturb and annoy the 
most practical and general walks and business 
of life: and which the best interests of com- 
munity require to be more generally under- 
stood. And I will attempt its accomplishment 
by inserting the following address, recently de- 
livered to a society of young men in B . 

* Chancellor Kent. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 37 



A BRIEF ADDRESS TO YOUNG MEN, 

Religious^ legal and moral ohligationSj loith some practi- 
cal hints in relation to atheistical notions^ and 
prevalent prejudices and errors. 

The patriot and the christian as he casts his 
eyes and thoughts around him in view of his 
beloved country and the world, may well feel a 
deep interest in the present and future 
progress and character of the youthful portion 
of community. Our divine Saviour felt much 
of this friendly sensibilitv, even towards little 
children, as he took them in his arms and 
blessed them. Wise and benevolent men 
regard the importance and necessity of admon- 
ishing, enlightening, and improving the rising 
generation, and the lasting bearing and effect 
it may have on the welfare and destiny of indi- 
viduals, communities, nations, and the world. 
But care should here be taken in addressing 
the lively and excitable minds of youth, not to 
foster a spirit of self-conceit, vanity and arro- 
gance, where better feelings ought to be cher- 
ished. It is too fashionable in addressing this 
class, to ascribe so much consequence to them, 
as to flatter and mislead — so much so, that 
they must be extremely prudent and fortunate 
themselves, or might be led to conclude, that 
all wisdom and might were centred in their 
circle ; and that the counsels and experience 
of aged and wise men were almost unnecessary 
in the world. Rekohoam so judged, and thence 
4 



38 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

lost the greater part of his kingdom for ever. 
And probably something of that disgusting im- 
pertinence and forwardness manifested in some 
places among the youth, may be traced to this 
source, 

Sound wisdom requires, that while every 
proper encouragement, and civility, and kind- 
ness, is shown to youth, they should also be 
taught to realize, that they are just entering 
upon the great and interesting theatre of life, 
with inexperienced and immature minds and 
capacities, having much to do, much to hope 
for, and much to guard against ; and while they 
ought to cultivate firmness and resolution, they 
should search for wisdom and prudence, as for 
hidden treasures, and cordially and gratefully 
seek the admonition and guidance, which 
mature experience and wisdom alone can be- 
stow. 

If such w^ere the case generally, how much 
of modern folly, extravagance, violence and 
crime, would cease from the world ! 

It will be my design in these remarks to 
benefit the young, by suggesting some useful 
hints, both legal and moral, w^hich may have 
a salutary effect upon their transient and inter- 
esting journey of life. Every youth, young 
gentleman especially, ought to acquire some 
general knowledge of the laws of his country, 
and the nature and extent of the penalties 
inflicted for the breach and violation of those 
laws. And it is disreputable as well as per- 
nicious to their minds and welfare, not to know 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 39 

and realize something of the divine laws and 
government over the universe of mankind. 
How deplorable that a single youth in this 
enlightened land, should fail to view and real- 
ize the hand or infinite agency of God in the 
control of the afi^airs and operations of the uni- 
verse! — in the seasons — in life and in death 
— in time and in eternity ! 

The stupid, insensible disbeliever in the 
majesty and omniscience of Jehovah, meets 
the severest reproof in the scriptures of truth. ^ 
And Mr. Young, the astronomer, said ^* an un- 
devout astronomer is mad." So lively were 
his feelings on the subject of adoration and 
love to our Creator ; and such his admiration 
of the divine perfections, as manifested in his 
w^onderful works, that he considered the man 
as insane, who could study the sublime works 
of creation, and particularly in the formation, 
laws and movements of the planets and heav- 
enly bodies, (so called,) and not be led to won- 
der and devout admiration. Why, the very 
Indian of the forest feels a sort of reverence 
towards the Great Spirit; and shall men, 
enjoying all the advantages, and surrounded 
with the full effulgence of christian and literary 
light, linger in the dark and comfortless regions 
of atheism and infidelity ? Raise up your eyes, 
ye skeptics, and open your dull ears. Behold 
the awful earthquake and tornado, the vivid 
lightning and vasty ocean ! Listen to the 
voice of the astounding thunder, and the hoarse 

* "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." Psalm xix. 1. 



40 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

roaring of the '^ mountain wave ; " and exclaim 
with the psalmist, " The heavens declare the 
glory of God, and the firmament shovveth forth 
his handy work ! ^' And then again, as we 
turn from these brilliant and august wonders, 
to our own habitation, the earth, what is here 
to lessen our admiration and praise? See the 
lilies of the field, and all the richly variegated 
garniture of the world — and the vast rivers, 
mountains and continents ! And behold man 
as a wondrous harp of many strings, with in- 
comprehensible moral and intellectual powers, 
and a soul destined for endless existence beyond 
the grave ! 

*' The shining worlds above, 
In glorious order stand ; 
Or in swift courses move, 
By his supreme command. 
He spake the word — 
And all their frame 
From nothing came, 
To praise the Lord." Watts. 

Now, my young friends, what think you of 
all these things ? Are these marvellous works 
and operations without an adequate cause and 
author ; the mere random production of chance, 
and ordinary works of nature ? I read a ready 
negative in every countenance. No — we are 
all — you are here, in the hand, and under the 
eye, of the infinite, adorable Jehovah, the 
precious workmanship of his mercy and power. 

Says the poet, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 41 

*' There is a lesson in each flower, 
A story in each stream and bower ; 
In every herb, on which you tread, 
Are written words, which rightly read, 
Will lead you from earth's fragrant sod, 
To hope, and holiness, and God." 

But I dwell no longer upon this intensely inter- 
esting topic, lest I trench upon the province of 
the divine and the philosopher. My object is 
not to detain you by any particular view of the- 
ology or faith, but is answered, if your minds 
are led to some right contemplations of the 
existence, wisdom, and majesty of the ever-liv- 
ing and true God, and a consciousness that the 
" fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." 

" He plants his footsteps in the sea, 
And rides upon the storm." Cowper. 

As to the next point, our legal and moral 
obligations and duties, my remarks must be 
limited to a few leading practical and useful 
instances and cases ; and allusions to some 
mistaken and popular notions, prejudices and 
offences, abounding in the world. 

I repeat the axiom, that in a republican gov- 
ernment, moral and useful education and infor- 
mation, ought to be cultivated as the grand 
conservative regulator of our institutions, civil 
and religious. Here our national and state 
constitutions ought to be attentively considered 
by every citizen. They constitute an impor- 
tant branch of law ; being made (within their 

appropriate spheres,) the fountain head, and 

4# 



42 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

supreme law, as it is termed, of the Union and 
the States. Nothing clearly anti-constitutional, 
is valid in law. In making discoveries or 
experiments in the wide field of political and 
legal science, and in all enactments for the 
regulation of the body politic, or its citizens, 
the federal constitution must stand, legally and 
judicially, as the 'polar star, to which all must 
tend, and all eyes look for general guidance. 
Ilere are stereotyped in language plain and 
explicit, the great truths and maxims — That 
all men are free, and entitled to equal rights 
and protection ; and are equally liable to the 
laws and penalties ordained for crime and the 
violation of the laws. Here we learn the 
bounds and extent of the national and state 
rights and jurisdictions, and the tenure of the 
presidential office, and his official powers and 
duties, and those of subordinate officers. Here 
are drawn out the rights of the States, to a fair 
and equal representation ; and we read here, 
that taxation is to be just and equal ; that 
insurrection and crime are to be promptly sup- 
pressed and punished — that commerce and the 
country are to be protected — and courts of jus- 
tice are to be established, and their legal deci- 
sions enforced — our navigation and imports, 
coin and currency, all to be regulated, as well 
as our intercourse with other nations, and the 
great concerns of peace and war. And our 
national laws made in pursuance of the con- 
stitution, prescribe and mark out the particular 
way and manner of effecting and consumma- 
ting these important objects. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 43 

And thus in the state orbits and jurisdictions, 
the same general process prevails, mutatis mu' 
tandis. The statutes or express written laws 
of the Union, and each state-, within the circle 
of its powers ; and the decisions of the highest 
courts in each, made in conformity with the 
constitution, constitute our general positive Law. 

lL\\eLaw of Nations, generally acquiesced in, 
has a binding force, as also the properly appro- 
priate principles of the Common Law, which 
are more or less respected and received, by all 
the states. Our judicial proceedings are great- 
ly dependent on the rules and practice of the 
Common Law and courts of Great Britain ; as 
likewise our classification and definition of 
crimes and misdemeanors. Some states, and 
Vermont particularly, have much altered and 
simplified those forms and processes. The sig- 
nificant legal terms. Ex post facto — Habeas Cor- 
pus — Mandamus — Deodand — Vi et Armis, with 
others too numerous to mention, are taken from 
British Jurisprudence. 

The criminal code subjects youth, those under 
twenty-one years of age, to prosecution and pun- 
ishment, after reaching the early age of discre- 
tion. This is obviously necessary, for otherwise 
minors might distract society and violate law 
with impunity. And hence all ought to be 
taught by parents, guardians, masters or others, 
the nature of general leading ofl^ences and 
crimes, and the liabilities under which they 
live. This consideration becomes the more im- 
portant, because ignorance of public law is not 
permitted as a defence in prosecutions. 



44 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

For example of the propriety of this general 
necessary legal knowledge, the prevalent error 
respecting the offence oi passing counterfeit or 
forged money ^ hothjpaper and specie^ ought to be 
corrected. All persons passing or making, or 
being concerned in making or passing such 
spurious or counterfeit bills and securities, or 
hard money, are liable to be severely punished 
by fine and imprisonment. And this, whether 
the base article is known to be such by the re- 
ceiver, and even when he willingly and under- 
standingly takes it, at par or any given or agreed 
discount, it is still felonious and punishable in 
the passer^ if known to him as being counterfeit 
— because the circulation^ and being concerned 
in spreading it, is the offence : and if passed or 
put in circulation, knowing it to be bad, the 
person passing it is liable to prosecution. So 
in case of specie and other securities for money. 
Take an instance of such a case — Two neigh- 
bors met for a trade in a small quantity of grain ; 
the purchaser showed a five dollar bill, observ- 
ing that it might be poor, but if the sellerchose, 
he might have it at his own risk, for a bushel 
of wheat, (price about $2.) It was examined, 
and taken. The transaction Vvas public, and 
the passer of the bill was prosecuted, and on 
proof of his knowing it to be bad, (and his pas- 
sing it for less than half its expressed value, 
was a part of the evidence,) he was sentenced 
to State prison for a term of years. 

Without dissenting at all from the correctness 
of the legal principles in these cases, I am in- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 45 

clined to the belief, that in such cases, and in 
those oi usury ^ both parties ought to be liable. 

The i^npeding or resisting o^cer5, judicial or 
executive, in the due exercise and discharge of 
their official duties, civil or military, is promptly 
and severely punished ; and seems not generally 
to be sufficiently understood. Many scarcely 
realize that it is a serious business. But the 
necessity of throwing around this class of pub- 
lic servants and administrators of justice the 
strong shield of legal protection will strike every 
mind, when it is considered that the disappoint- 
ments and passions of men are so often excited 
against the direct agents and instruments in the 
dispensation and execution of the laws. 

Theft or Larceny^ from the daring wholesale 
plundering to the meanest pilfering — that is, 
the taking of personal chattels and property 
clandestinely and unlawfully, with wicked in- 
tent, is an odious crime, and highly penal. The 
temptation to this crime is so great, and its prev- 
alence so detrimental to the interests and busi- 
ness of mankind, that all well regulated 
communities prescribe appropriate and severe 
penalties for its commission. And although 
our laws against it are less sanguinary or se- 
vere than those of Great Britain and many other 
countries, still it is promptly prosecuted and 
punished. And a conviction of this and other 
felonies also incapacitates the convict from giv- 
ing evidence in courts of justice. This is in- 
deed a black mark upon a person in this free 
country. 



46 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

Kindred to this, and what is made punishable 
by our law, is the fashionable offence of jplun^ 
dering fruity and other nocturnal attacks upon 
the property of our citizens. How it ever be- 
came fashionable, or why not every where de- 
tested as the meanest kind of theft, would puz- 
zle a Franklin to decide. It shows a lamenta- 
ble state of perverted taste and reason, right 
feeling, and common decency and justice. 
What ! fashionable and deemed excusable, 
meanly and secretly to steal into our neighbor's 
garden or yards, and there under the shades of 
night, destroy or plunder that choice fruit and 
product of his honest labor and care, which he 
values much more than its value in money ! ! 
Ah, so it is ! And there are many men and lads 
who would shrink from other stealing, but will 
rush thoughtlessly into this most dastardly kind 
of thieving ; and merely because it is not right- 
ly understood, and has been so long practiced 
and connived at. So with various other nightly 
misdemeanors in abusing or injuring others' 
property or possessions. The least principle of 
honor or honesty ought to be sufficient to ban- 
ish these offences from society. The law pun- 
ishes them all. And in these, and other tres- 
spasses^ including assaults and batteries^ all who 
are any way concerned, by advising, aiding, 
&c. are equally liable with those who do the 
act. The cautious fomenter, though at home 
and asleep, when the mischief is done, may on 
proof of his agency, be held responsible for the 
injury, and punished for the offence. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 47 

The gambling mania, formerly so prevalent, 
popular and destructive, has justly fallen into 
deserved disgrace. A {ew indolent characters 
still slily carry it on to some extent ; but they 
shun the public eye, and revel in their dark re- 
treats. Even in V , the mobatic crowd 

lynched the gamblers. 

The high-life practice of duelling, that relic 
of semi-barbarous times, is made severely pun- 
ishable, even where it is most fashionable — in 
some States with death, where death ensues. 
But as w^ith other popular offences, the offender 
generally escapes. I rejoice that this cruel 
practice is on the wane, and that Congress has 
nullified it in the District of Columbia. 

I need not here speak of the crimes of trea- 
son^ murder, robbery, piracy, and such capital 
offences, as very k\Y persons can be ignorant 
of their nature and enormity, and all cannot fail 
to understand, that the arm of the law bears 
hard upon such as commit them. Your tender 
sensibilities are too often awakened by public 
accounts of felonious homicides or savage mur- 
ders, in various parts of the world. 

Incendiarism, or the wilful burning of dwel- 
ling houses and adjoining buildings, though 
punished with extreme rigor, and in its char- 
acter abominable, is somewhat prevalent in 
cities and populous places, and ought to be 
hunted out of every civilized community. 

The crime of Perjury^ or false swearing in 
some form, is alarmingly prevalent. From my 
long acquaintance with Courts of Justice, and 



48 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

the various kinds of legal processes, litigation 
and trials, I am induced to suspect that in too 
many cases, an inclination and practice to sup- 
press or distort facts and the truth, or directly 
to violate it, prevails to an alarming extent. 
Witnesses are too often tampered with, and 
unduly induced to favor one party, when their 
sole object and duty is, or should be, impartially 
and honestly to disclose and state facts, without 
regard to either party or any individual or cause. 
The false notion that they are in the employ of 
the party calling upon them, and must or may 
favor him, is not only loose and wicked, but 
dangerous and subversive of public justice. 
Every wilful keeping back the whole truth, or 
dressing up facts and circumstances with de- 
ceptive and false coloring, \^ perjury ; a crime 
abhorrent in the view of the law, and punisha- 
ble in an exemplary manner. 

The holy cause or attribute of truth ought 
not to be trifled with. It is a rich, useful jewel 
in the character of any individual and in the 
business world. If it is thus trifled with in the 
solemn proceedings of Courts of Justice, and 
under the awful penalties and perils of the law, 
how much more is it likely to be abused in the 
various walks and concerns of life, induced by 
selfishness and malice ! 

Another delicate right and high offence ought 
to be understood by all. It is that of female 
security from personal insult and brutal violence. 
The breach of this great and precious right is 
in most governments punished with death. In 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 49 

Others, and in Vermont the penalty is next to 
death in severity. The heart-rending cases 
that have occurred from rough foreigners and 
other lustful ruffians, in attacks upon innocent, 
and even young females, are enough to excite 
in every generous American bosom the highest 
detestation and horror at such demoniac deeds. 

And the crime of Adultery^ or unfaithfulness 
in the marriage relation ; a crime confined most- 
ly to loose, immoral and gross minds ; and 
said not to be known among the ancient Spar- 
tans, and punished with death in the Jewish 
economy ; cannot be said to be an exotic in this 
land. This also is liable to severe punishment 
by law, and is generally execrated by all cor- 
rect minds. And the habit of cohabiting, or 
marriage by persons separating but not legally 
divorced, ought to be understood as partaking 
of this offence. 

I have not time to comment upon most of the 
crimes and misdemeanors that are noticed in 
our criminal code, and which more or less dis- 
turb and disgrace human society. A few more 
prevalent ones will be alluded to. 

And first, blasphemy and 'profanity > Blas- 
phemy, though generally comprehending pro- 
fanity, is considered much the higher offence, 
and is the treating the Supreme Being and his 
attributes, or our divine Lord and Saviour with 
reproach and contumely. And to preserve the 
purity of religious and moral sanctions, and a 
due regard and reverence for the character and 
providence of the Supreme Beine, this auda- 
5 



50 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

cious crime is also put under the ban of the 
law. Paine and Voltaire^ were in reality 
great blasphemers, and much of this heedless 
and untempted crime abounds in our age and 
country. 

Profane swearing is a most prevalent and 
fashionable, as well as mean and vulgar habit 
and offence. Our organs of speech were given 
for better and more profitable and noble pur- 
poses. This ungentlemanly habit possesses 
the acknowledged odium, that while it is a di- 
rect breach of the moral and divine law, and 
odious to all delicate and well-bred minds, it is 
merely habit, and is not calculated even to 
gratify a single appetite attached to man, or to 
yield a single benefit or convenience. The 
profane are unable to plead even a plausible 
temptation. Why then is this miserable, be- 
littling habit and noisome offence kept up 
among intelligent men ? Especially when one 
of the divine commandments says, — "Take 
not the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for 
the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh 
his name in vain ! " 

Sahhath'hreaking or 'profanation. The mis- 
using or neglecting the Sabbath, is known to 
be a popular and lamentable custom., notwith- 

* Perliaps much of the unhappy bitterness manifestefi by this re- 
markable man and powerful writer, may be attributed to the conduct 
and abuses of the catholics of the age in which he lived. His ardent 
and excitable mind became so incensed at their outrageous profana- 
tion and abuse of christianil y, as to lead him rashly to conclude that 
the divine and blessed religion of Jesus Clirist, was the cause (and 
not their wicked abuse and distortion of it) of the difficulties and 
pollutions he witnessed and execrated. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 51 

standing the commands of the moral and even 
civil law on its side, to the contrary. This 
precious and needed season for rest and reli- 
gious improvement, ought to be better under- 
stood and observed : 

" Day of all the week the best. 
Emblem of eternal rest." 

How precious and delightful these seasons, 
to the pious and devout mind ! The evening 
hours preceding the holy Sabbath, as a closing 
scene to our weekly labors and cares, and a 
prelude to the Sabbath, seem to catch some- 
thing of the peaceful, sanctifying influence of 
the Sabbath. And hence, many are led to ob- 
serve Saturday evening as a part of holy time. 
Whether the Sabbath be a divine or Jewish in- 
stitution, its salutary influence upon the world 
is beyond all price ; and if properly observed 
and kept by all classes, the world would soon 
admire the peaceful, happy change. 

Whether it be what is called accidental, or 
providential, it is every where noticeable that 
the people in those places where this day is 
honored, are more regular, happy and prosper- 
ous — crime much less prevalent, and morality 
and industry more cheering — and the aspect 
and order of society more delightful and en- 
couraging, than in those where the Sabbath is 
neglected or profaned. 

The debasing and desolating habit of intern- 
perance and drunkenness, is fast waning and 
falling into disrepute, as the eyes and con- 



52 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

sciences of men open upon their dreadful con- 
sequences. It has been, and still is measurably 
so, the prolific, brazen parent of crime and 
wretchedness to an alarming extent. But now 
generally speaking it has but few professed ad- 
vocates. Scarcely a man will plead for it, ex- 
cept in a mitigated, qualified sense. And while 
some, unconscious of being themselves intem- 
perate, will reason against this vice, as their 
frames tremble and totter, it strikingly exhibits 
the enslaving and blinding power of this for- 
midable habit, and insidious enemy of the 
peace and welfare of mankind. In fine, the 
remaining danger and difficulty now seem to 
be, the slow and insidious manner in which 
the indulgence and habit undermine the reso- 
lution and discernment of its victims. They 
advance along in the habit without realizing or 
believing themselves in danger, until it is too 
late. Every year we see many in this way, 
sinking into this devouring vortex. 

In ancient, far ancient times, instances of in- 
temperance occasionally occurred. Some cases 
are alluded to in the Bible ; and many solemn 
warnings are there recorded against it. But 
the wines and inebriating drinks of those days 
were far less pernicious than the modern floods 
of liquid fire which have deluged and well-nigh 
ruined the late aoes. 

I will close with a few remarks upon one 
other misdemeanor, which has latterly caused 
considerable difficulty and complaint. It is 
that of annoying and disturbing the lawful and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 53 

peaceful meetings or assemblages of the citi- 
zens to discuss political and other interesting 
subjects ; and even in some instances, those 
held for public worship in the sanctuary. How- 
ever others may view this anti-republican course, 
I consider it ominous and alarming. Such 
practices prevailed in France about the time 
of the awful massacres, the execution of Lewis 
Sixteenth, and persecution of La Fayette. They 
exhibit a daring disregard of common civility 
and the fundamental rights of the people, as 
well as a violation of their express constitution- 
al liberties. Our national constitution guaran- 
ties these rights and privileges to the American 
people. And our statute laws have wisely and 
humanely thrown their protection over all de- 
nominations of worshipping assemblies, as well 
as the sacred and invaluable institution of the 
Sabbath. And if our constitutional rights and 
privileges are in danger of being frittered away 
by systematic violence and mobs, new guards 
ought to be provided for their exercise and 
safety. For of what avail will be the privilege 
of meeting for mutual information and consul- 
tation, in regard to the public welfare, if mobs 
and lawless brutal force are permitted to awe 
and restrain their proceedings ? And in this 
land of liberty and constitutional law and pro- 
tection, severe fines or imprisonments ought to 
be visited upon that reckless and dangerous 
person or combination, that attempts, from 
whim, prejudice, or hatred, to disturb or inter- 
rupt the peaceful assembling of the citizens for 
5^ 



54 TRIBUTE TO MY COUTS'TRY. 

such objects, or the rightful liberty of speech, 
or of the press when in civil and lawful exer- 
cise. 

Of all laAv, moh law is the w^orst. If allowa- 
ble in one case, it may be in others ; and the 
instigator of a riot or mob, to injure my prop- 
erty and rights, through violence, may find, the 
next hour, himself made the victim of another 
set of desperadoes. In this country, where 
ample provision is made for the protection of 
all, rich and poor, through the agency of equal 
law and frequent elections, it is doubly wicked 
and hateful to encourage or suffer such a spirit 
and practice. Who does not shudder at the 
recollection of the awful mobs and assassina- 
tions during the French revolution, and even at 
that of the more recent lynchings, and not 
wholly bloodless riots in our own country ? 

There is prevailing, I trust only occasionally, 
a moral defect in kind feeling and treatment of 
the aged, the infirm, and others in low con- 
dition. This generally arises from a proud 
and haughty spirit in the human heart, from 
superficial views of men and things, and from 
defective or vicious education. Who has not 
witnessed the pert or proud sneer, or direct 
abuse, upon some innocent object, moving in 
a sphere, or appareled in a manner, distaste- 
ful in the eyes of folly and pride? Perhaps 
to this too prevalent though not universal feel- 
ing, in the higher and more aristocratic ranks, 
may be traced the slavery and oppression of 
the colored people and the Indian race. This 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 55 

is occasionally seen among the minions of 
power in military and official life ; and some- 
times among the gaudy and proud-hearted occu- 
pants of cities, villages and splendid dwellings. 
All these show an ill-breeding, and an odious 
state of feeling and taste — such an unfortunate, 
perverted taste once turned away the great 
but plain Thomas Jefferson^ from a great city 
hotel ; and the author himself, from two such 
places in succession. Though from the causes 
above assigned, the well dressed occupants pro- 
bably acted from supposed very correct motives, 
in keeping from their premises men of too rus- 
tical appearance. 

It is however gratifying to find that the world, 
bad as it is, passes its general verdict against 
such folly; and I ask, did you ever know an 
amiable young person, peculiarly and unaffect- 
, edly pleasant and respectful to his parents, and 
the aged and unfortunate, who was not beloved ; 
and the Scriptures of truth bear ample testi- 
mony to the worth of humility, charity and love ; 
and our divine Saviour himself, how he so- 
journed not only with the humble and contrite, 
but even with publicans and sinners ! 

In all these hints and suggestions respecting 
the laws, responsibilities and liabilities, offences, 
crimes and misdemeanors, the author's ob- 
ject is to place those concerned on their proper 
guard and inquiry, so that through due appli- 
cation and advice, they may keep on safe ground, 
and seek proper redress; for he has known of 
many cases, where from total ignorance, such 



56 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

people have suffered irreparable injury from 
negligence and want of seasonable judicious 
counsel ; and for like reasons, I must allude to 
a single case on the civil side of the law, re- 
specting which, I have found a lamentable igno- 
rance among the great mass of our citizens, 
and even the enterprising business-men of the 
country. This is in relation to the transfer and 
negotiability of bills, notes, and negotiable 
obligations. Too many suppose that the mere 
endorsing or placing one's name on such paper 
at once, makes it good to the extent of the 
endorser's ability; when in fact no liability ac- 
crues, unless the endorsee, or person to whom 
it is endorsed, promptly and without delay, gives 
the requisite notice of non-payment or non- 
acceptance, and keeps himself in readiness to 
prove such notice. 

I have dwelt so long upon legal obligation 
and other topics, that I must waive (or defer till 
a future time,) all but a brief allusion to preju- 
dice and moral sanctions ; nor need I say much 
on these. All have witnessed, in some form, 
the baneful effects of unreasonable prejudices. 
They lead to false views and estimates of per- 
sons and things ; to improper feelings and un- 
just and unsound conclusions. How frequently 
do men through prejudice and hasty bias, judge 
erroneously, improperly and unjustly. We 
ought first *' to cast out the beam out of our own 
eyes," in order to see truly and wisely. 

And lastly, in a land of christian light and 
learning, need a word be said here, to sustain 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 57 

the cause, or to exhibit the beauty and excel- 
lency of moral virtue and duty ? An enemy to 
these is considered, like the pirate, an enemy to 
mankind at large ; and justly so. A world or 
society lost to a love of virtue and justice, is a 
bedlam indeed. And much to be deplored and 
pitied is the wayward youth, who from false 
education, temptation or vicious example and 
propensities, forsakes '' the ways of wisdom, 
which are ways of pleasantness and peace,'* and 
desperately rushes into the troubled and gloomy 
vortex of sinful folly and pollution ! The great 
and summary divine command is, "Thou shalt 
love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and 
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind ;" and, 
** thy neighbor as thyself." And the golden 
moral rule, is, " To do unto others, whatsoever 
ye would that men should do to you." And 
the more than golden reward for obedience is, 
peace and happiness on earth, and heavenly 
blessings beyond the tomb ! 



By the preceding and following addresses, 
the author endeavored to impart a variety of 
useful hints, respecting some prevalent viola- 
tions of law, and of morals and decorums ; and 
likewise to detect and expose a class of prepos- 
terous habits and popular errors, and their bear- 
ings and effects upon character, life and society. 
The propriety of connecting these discourses 
will appear from considering the relation of 
cause and effect, and from the well-known fact 



58 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

that much of conduct, feeling, character and 
human welfare depend upon such preposses- 
sions, habits, education, notions and errors, hav- 
ing a powerful effect and lasting influence on 
the minds of youth. A knowledge of these, 
therefore, may be highly beneficial. A general 
view of them may serve as a preventive of er- 
ror, temptation and crime, or a corrective of 
false and pernicious prepossessions, bias, feel- 
ings and habits. For example, a well-disposed 
hotel keeper, by reading the case of the host 
who declined to receive the celebrated Mr. Jef- 
ferson, while vice-president, disrelishing or mis- 
judging of his rustic appearance, and plausibly 
urging his want of room as an excuse ; and 
also of his bitter regret and mortification, on 
finding whom he had thus turned away, will 
probably be more circumspect in his treatment 
of plain and unassuming travellers. And thus 
in other cases, where the errors, prejudices and 
false notions of men, are prone to lead them 
into folly and vice. The noble deference paid 
to age, on a particular occasion at Sparta, was 
a masterly and delicate rebuke to the Atheni- 
ans, and no doubt had a pow^erful effect. 

Numerous cases could be cited, where mon- 
archs and citizens have been reproved and cor- 
rected through the medium of parables and 
other portraitures of themselves and their char- 
acters, brought home to their consciousness and 
view. The striking case of Nathan's parable, 
and its happy effect upon David, have been ad- 
mired for ages. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 59 

The following is my next address to the same 
society of young men. 



LECTURE 

Upon the deportment, habits and occupations of young men, 

as connected icith their happiness ^ progress 

and usefulness in life. 

If any one shall inquire why my pen and 
voice are so often employed in addressing and 
admonishing youth upon such practical, inter- 
esting subjects, I am frank to reply, that while 
I consider the code of religious and moral obli- 
gation and duly, as more important than all 
others, a strong impulse and lively sensibility 
have been awakened in my heart in behalf of 
the American youih^ by incidents in my past 
days, and the severance of ties and dear earthly 
connections. As I meet my young friends here, 
in the walks of science and literature, I am re- 
minded of those by-gone days, when my sons 
here met and participated in the pleasures and 
benefits of literary acquisitions. Here<> as you 
do now, they progressed in classical lore, de- 
bated, and prepared for higher walks and ad- 
vancements in the arts and sciences. A father's 
heart rejoiced and hoped in their early progress, 
and has mourned over their disappointments 
and deaths ! Other parents have realized kin- 
dred hopes and trials : and you, my youthful 
hearers, will find this world a checkered scene. 
In the language of the pious Dr. Watts — 



60 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

" How vain are all things here below, 
How false, and yet how fair !" 

Prepare then for your temporal journe}^ and 
pilgrimage along the general highway of life, 
by laying up all necessary stores of useful 
knowledge, wisdom and firmness. By laying 
a good foundation, on w^hich the course and 
business of your future lives and progress may 
safely rest. This is made up chiefly from early 
impressions and manners, habits and education. 

Professor Stuart observes : *' By far the great- 
er part of opinions on w^hich we act in life, are 
not the result of our own investigation ; but are 
adopted implicitly in infancy and youth, upon 
the authority of others. Even the great princi- 
ples of morality, although implanted in every 
heart, ara commonly aided and cherished, at 
least to a certain degree, by the care of our in- 
structers." And he thinks this is agreeable to 
the intentions of nature, for special reasons 
which he assigns, but which may not be per- 
fectly satisfactory to all. Going on farther, he 
remarks : '' When a child hears either a specu- 
lative absurdity, or an erroneous principle of 
action recommended and enforced daily, by the 
same voice which first conveyed to it those sim- 
ple and sublime lessons of morality and religion 
which are congenial to its nature, is it to be 
wondered at, that in future life it should find 
it so difficult to eradicate prejudices which have 
twined their roots v/ith all the essential princi- 
ples of the human frame." And he seems to 



TRIBUTE TO MY COtJNTRY. 61 

contend, that such is the force and danger of 
early wrong and injurious impressions and pre- 
judices, in relation to the great subjects of nnor- 
ality, politics and religion, imbibed in early 
life, — '* that a great part of the life of a phi- 
losopher must necessarily be devoted not so 
much to the acquisition of mw knowledge, as 
to unlearn the errors to which he had been 
taught to give an implicit assent, before the 
dawn of reason and reflection." 

If Mr. Stuart is correct in his views of the 
strength and influence of early impressions and 
habits of thought, and if they are calculated to 
have such powerful and permanent influence, 
the indispensable necessity of their proper regu- 
lation and direction must be manifest to all; 
and the great consolation is, that ofood and snlu- 
tary impressions and habits, as well as opposite 
ones, partake of this strong and abiding nature. 

Early impressions and deportments, generally 
speaking, depend much on maternal care, cul- 
ture and management, though both parents 
ought to unite in giving a proper tone and ad- 
dress to their offsprino;-. But the affectionate, 
prudent mother, perhaps of all others, has the 
best means and influence to direct aright the 
youthful heart. The child and youth, unless he 
is abominably wicked and ungrateful, loves and 
respects that kind-hearted mother, who has ca- 
ressed and cherished him from his earliest exist- 
ence. 

Before the young arrive at years of discretion, 
we must expect a deficiency in their mental and 
6 



62 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

physical powers and progress, which requires 
enduring and endearing patience, care and ef- 
fort, more especially on the mother's part. Yet 
even this period is deeply interesting, and full 
of hope and blissful anticipation. The husband- 
man carefully fences and cultivates his fields, 
and, with lively interest, watches the early 
shoots and progress of his grain and plants ; 
and thus with the gardener and botanist. So 
the watchful parent and instructer marks the 
tender and opening flowers of their delicate off- 
spring and charge. 

The period of more advanced youth calls forth 
the more intense and anxious feelings of parents, 
as dangers and temptations more thickly beset 
them. More early than many imagine, the 
mind perceives and imbibes essential and last- 
ing impressions and noiions, which generally 
have an important bearinof upon their character 
and life. How important then, that correct feel- 
ings, amiable manners, and sound and useful 
habits, both in thought and action, should be 
taught, both by precept and example ! The 
temperature and welfare of the whole moral uni- 
verse of man is affected by it. And in these 
respects our domestic circles and primary 
schools have a general and deep responsibili- 
ty ; so much so, that it has been ascertained 
that most of the inmates of our prisons and pen- 
itentiaries are made up from that neglected or 
ill-fated class, who in early life were suffered 
to live in disregard of moral and religious in- 
struction and principle. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 63 

What a lesson this to parents and all others 
having the charge of youth, and a love of virtue, 
and the welfare of mankind ! 

Without attempting to settle the nice and phi- 
losophical question, whether any of our ideas 
are innate^ born with us ; or, are in toto brought 
into existence by sensation and rejlection^ all 
must concede, that on the early and proper cul- 
ture of the mind, much, very much depends; 
and yet it is equally clear, that different dispo- 
sitions as well as powers and capacities, are 
possessed by different persons, whose education 
and means of improvement have been nearly 
the same. All are, however, the subjects of 
impression and culture ; and the effects and re- 
sults of moral and useful efforts and culture are 
more precious and durable than all the gold and 
silver that glitters through the world. For of 
what real and salutary use are the perishing 
riches of the earth, unless accompanied with 
morality and enlightened benevolence ? How 
much more acceptable, or safe and improving 
would be the society of the barbarous Patago- 
nian pagans, if rich as Croesus, or rolling in all 
the fantastic splendor and wealth of the eastern 
nabob ? Those generally, who know not prop- 
erly how to appreciate and use the treasures of 
this world, are made the worse by possessing 
them; and consequently more anxious, over- 
bearing and unhappy. Above all, the miserly, 
ungrateful man, full of unprofitable, wasted 
years and opportunities, having no heart to thank 
and serve hi§ Creator and Preserver ; or to love, 



64 ' TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

comfort and befriend the needy and ui^fortunate, 
or to build up and improve societ}^ is generally 
speaking, not only the most useless and friend- 
less, but the farthest removed from real felicity 
among the sons of men. He seems to have no 
tender sympathizing friend on earth, or m 
heaven. His property is his absorbing idol. 
He values a cent more than his soul ; in fine, 
he seems scarcely to realize that he has a soul 
or a mind. And as for heaven, judgment and 
eternity, he dreads the very thought and sound 
of them. And his withered and scathed con- 
science and soul are tortured, and he trembles 
amidst all his hardness, opulence and daring 
presumption ! Poor, blind being ! thou art just 
on the borders of an opening, dreaded eternity ! 

Now a correct, enlightened care and attention 
to early impressions and judicious instructions, 
will generally result in happy, useful lives, and 
hopeful, peaceful age and death. Here w^e may 
be taught the foundation of good manners, 
sound principles and right feelings — to deal just- 
ly and kindly, to love mercy, and to walk 
humbly with our God. 

As to the specific manner of address and de- 
portment, no precise rule can be laid down ; for 
our intercourse with the world is an expanded 
scene, subject to an almost infinite variety and 
change of circumstances. The cultivation of 
good feelings and principles, with an enlight- 
ened understanding, will aflbrd the best facili- 
ties, and abide the strictest test, in regard to our 
deportment and daily conduct towards each 






TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 65 

Other ; and these will effectually teach us, that 
some ways and habits among men are repug- 
nant to good manners and correct taste. 

First — All kind of mischief and impertinent 
intermeddling with and disturbing the concerns 
of others. It is not a strange sight, to see a 
class of rough and reckless persons, even ap- 
parently proud of being considered roguish, 
smart fellows, and generally forward in all 
scrapes, assaults, night mischief and riots, and 
in abusing such as fall in their way, more espe- 
cially, the simple and unoffending portion of 
community. All such proceedings and conduct 
are criminal violations of correct, or decent de- 
portment. 

A second class distinguish themselves by a 
noisy, saucy and profane course of conduct, 
equally annoying to the peace and order of 
community, and disgraceful to the actors. 
Another class, may be known by their foppish 
and assuming airs, and attempts to engross the 
conversation ?nd matters, where they happen 
to be ; most disgusting to all present but them- 
selves. Such disagreeable and ill-bred charac- 
ters as these classes embrace, are noticed more 
or less in private and public circles and busi- 
ness places, in schools, in public houses, and 
all assemblies and collections of citizens; and 
also, in stages, cars and boats ; and occasionally 
annoy our places of public worship, exhibiting 
the most deplorable defects in manners and 
habits, and ascribable in a great degree, to a 
criminal neglect or wrong conduct in parents 



66 TRIBUTE TO My COUNTRY. 

and superinteDdents of youth. The modest and 
unassuming, the plain and lowly, the feeble and 
infirm, and even the aged and pious portions of 
society, are too often assailed by such objects 
and ill-bred characters. And the most interest- - 
ing conversations and discussions, having in 
view the best good of society, are not unfre- 
quently annoyed by them. 

Disrespect to parents, age, and venerable 
worth, are viewed by all correct minds as highly 
improper and reprehensible ; yet instances of 
this vulgar rudeness are witnessed in this age 
and country. And much coarse and vulgar 
slang still prevails in certain sections and cir- 
cles, in relation to serious, solemn and sacred 
subjects; and also against literature and refine- 
ment; against wealth and influence, however 
connected with merit and exalted virtue and 
moral excellence. Much of this springs from 
low, mean and envious impressions and feelings, 
wrongfully introduced into the young mind and 
disposition; and much of it from palpable igno- 
rance of men and things. 

The Athenians were a lively and warm 
hearted people, and delighted in assemblies, 
games and eloqnence ; and manifested much 
respect for merit and venerable age. But 
amidst their giddy excitements, they often dis- 
regarded their own precepts and maxims. An 
aged citizen once entering their crowded forum, 
was gazed at with deep, respectful attention, 
while his weak and trembling frame found no 
seat to rest upon. Afterwards, on the same 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 67 

person's visiting a like assemblage of Spartan 
youth, the whole crowd simultaneously arose, 
offering their vacant seats for his accommoda- 
tion ; on which he exclaimed, '' the Athenians 
know what is right, but the Spartans practice 
it." O, how amiable, how sweetly interesting 
is a lovely deference to venerable age, and kind 
treatment to the lowly and infirm ! And we 
find in Leviticus, xix. 32, that Moses, by divine 
command, speaks thus unto the children of Is- 
rael — '* Thou shalt rise up before the hoary 
head^ and honor the face of the old man^ and 
fear thy God." The infirmities, the gentle and 
chastened wisdom, the venerability of hoary 
age, call forth this respect and homage. But 
the hardened, aged sinner and blasphemer, is a 
loathsome object, although his infirmity and 
blind stupidity may awaken our pity. Isaiah 
says, *'But the sinner being an hundred years 
old, shall be accursed." 

The formation and abiding nature of habits^ 
from early impressions, incidents and education, 
justly claims the attention of the moral and 
christian world. We are, emphatically, the 
creatures of hahit. In common parlance, it is 
called our second nature. Habits, with their 
peculiar appendages, good or bad, grow with 
our growth and strengthen with our strength. 
It would fill a volume to notice their number 
and variety. A few leading ones will be brought 
under review. 

Firsts the habit of indolence^ or idleness. Al- 
though doomed *' to earn his bread by the sweat 



6S TRIBUTE TO MiT COUNTRY. 

of his brow ;" and although activity and effort 
are necessary to health and energy of body and 
mind; yet man is probably prone to indolence, 
mental and physical ; and powerful motives and 
excitements are necessary to overcome this pro- 
pensity. Such motives are strewed around him ; 
and after these motives have for a time, pro- 
pelled him onward, so as to fix a hahit of indus- 
try^ his natural indolence yields to this law of 
habit, and makes him useful or injurious, ac- 
cording to the character of the habit acquired. 

In the next place, I would rank useless ox 'per- 
nicious action and industry. Too much of this, 
call it hahit^ or folly, or by whatever name we 
please, abounds in the world. Were all men 
usefully and rightly employed, and kept from 
vicious action, the great family of man would 
wear a different aspect, and works of utility and 
improvement would every where thrive. But 
the extent of apparently useless, as well as in- 
jurious action and business, serves as a great 
draw^back and impediment to such works and 
prospects. What a class of human beings, 
adults as well as children, dwell in the most 
favored parts of the world, unable or disinclined 
even to earn an honest subsistence, to say noth- 
ing of public and general improvement and 
benefit ? One has no talent or ambition to be 
useful, or had rather beg than work ; another 
unfits his natural sprightly powers, by habits 
gross and destructive, both of his own prospects 
and happiness and usefulness in society, and 
drags out a polluted, vv^retched life, hated and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 69 

despised by those around him. And the active, 
desperate villain, may destroy more happiness 
and the product of more useful industry in one 
night, than many enterprising citizens could ac- 
cumulate through a long course of years. And 
the misery and enduring annoyance to the com- 
munity and individuals, resulting from this 
folly, and perverted, wicked action, is beyond 
all computation. 

Having recently addressed you upon the most 
prominent prejudices and offences in society, I 
shall not again speak of them under the divi- 
sion of habits, although many of them by long 
and wicked indulgence, owe much of their con- 
tinuance and virulence to the overwhelming 
influence of evil example and hahit. 

The habit of extravagance and vain parade^ 
frequently carrying with it foppery and embar- 
rassment, has a pernicious effect upon society, 
by encouraging a false taste, particularly among 
youth, as well as a spirit of vanity and arro- 
gance ; and by discouraging that love of sim- 
plicity and unostentatious manner of business 
and life, which is so praiseworthy in itself, and 
so extensively promotive of the peace, order 
and prosperity of the people. 

The popular notion, especially with A^outh, 
that a certain grade of promotion or wealth is 
indispensable to their welfare and happiness, 
and would complete and satisfy all their desires, 
is as delusive and ffiUacious as all other castle- 
biiildins^. These feelino^s, if not suffered to 
overpower the voice of conscience and all the 



70 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

best affections of the heart, in the strife and 
means of attaining those objects, may serve as 
useful stimulants and motives for industry and 
enterprise. So with avarice and fondness for 
wealth generally ; and there is a nice dividing 
line between industry, enterprise and economy; 
and slavish, corrupting avarice, speculation and 
meanness. And this prevalent delusion is much 
less pernicious than that spirit of pride, extrava- 
gance and profligacy, on which the welfare, in- 
tegrity and real happiness of thousands are 
yearly sacrificed ; and by which frauds, bank- 
ruptcies and crimes are made so common and 
alarming. Led on by a miserable love of shovv 
and splendor, and made desperate for the means, 
many, very many covet, and dishonestly appro- 
priate the earnings and property of others, and 
coldly and basely neglect all honest efforts at 
fair remuneration ; and would believe that gov- 
ernment ought to help them away from all legal 
responsibility, and while in many cases sur- 
rounded by splendid trappings of furniture and 
equipage. There are exceptions to this view, 
among men deeply involved — of cases caused 
by real misfortune and uncontaminated with 
extravagance and baseness. But the garment 
here held to view, will suit to many, and such 
may profitably put it on, and consider. The 
excepted cases are less anxious for the law. 

Whether the law in relation to bankruptcies, 
lately enacted by Congress will prove useful or 
not, remains to be proved. This legal mode 
of compelling creditors to discharge their debts 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 71 

upon the debtors' delivering up what may be 
left on hand, always appeared as doubtful equity 
and policy, in my view. The system which 
has obtained in England, was thought to be ne- 
cessary in their great leading concerns of navi- 
gation, commerce and manufactures, by inter- 
posing in hopeless cases of insolvency caused 
by misfortunes, and business connected with 
perilous incidents, w^here no human foresight 
could guard against them. The bankrupt sys- 
tem has since been expanded and applied to 
more general use. The settling estates of de- 
ceased persons in this way is convenient and 
proper, for nothing farther can be done. But 
it is more doubtful in other cases, w^here the 
rights of both sides ought to be guarded, and 
all inducements to reckless speculation and ex- 
travagance ought as far as possible, to be re- 
moved. Those who remember the law^ of this 
kind under Mr. Jefferson's administration, and 
witnessed the frauds and perjuries practiced 
under it, are slow to w^elcome another. Still it 
is possible that less iniquity and difficulty may 
arise under this. 

By force of evil example and false notions in 
this respect, many weak and superficial minds 
are all their lives following an ignus fatuus^ or 
plunged into temptation, and ruinous, destruc- 
tive crime and infamy. And such as escape 
this, generally speaking, instead of gaining the 
respect of the world, as they vainly imagine, 
have a full share of public ill-will. Although 
such characters, while they are able to keep up 



72 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

the display of extravagance, have a crowd of 
apparent admirers and followers, yet few sub- 
stantial friends are found in their wake ; and 
when adversity visits them, these selfish ad- 
mirers fly away, as insects before the gale. 
And such characters are usually complaining of 
hard fortune, or misfortune, and charge their 
suicidal wretchedness upon Providence, rather 
than to their own folly and improvidence. And 
most visionary men and poetic enthusiasts labor 
under this distorted and unprofitable, if not sin- 
ful propensity of charging the ill results of their 
eccentricity or mismanagement upon the deal- 
ings of God ; by way of repining and complaint.^ 
and not to their own unregulated lives and feel- 
ings. Not only our disapprobation, but our 
pity, is sometimes excited by viewing characters 
overstocked with all the furniture and symbols 
of luxury and extravagance, not their own in 
justice or right, alike bankrupt in pecuniary 
obligation and all the better appendages of 
practical life and economy. 

It is painful to notice the erroneous notions 
and habits of man}?- young men of moderate cir- 
cumstances, and whose welfare and usefulness 
depend peculiarly upon their economy and in- 
dustry. Neatness, and even elegance in ap- 
parel and equipage are meritorious, but a due 
regard must be had to means and circumstan- 
ces ; and the young man of moderate circum- 
stances, by aping the airs and equipage of the 
opulent and extravagant, w\\\ either remain 
poor and embarrassed, or very probably, become 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 7o 

dishonest and dishonorable. And this result 
will more especially follow that giddy and ex- 
travagant indulgence in high and dissipated 
scenes and habits, which many are fatally led 
to consider as evidence of gentility and merit. 

And the rule or test, adopted by many, in re- 
gard to worth or character, is equally flimsy. 
It is generally that of mere personal appear- 
ance, or grade of wealth they possess. If one 
moves in a showy, splendid style, or is repre- 
sented as rich, all is well in their way of judg- 
ing. I knew one of these deep judges of human 
nature, and observed his course for years : 
when speaking of a man about to move into the 
place, or in commending a stranger, his first or 
second commendation would invariably be, *' he 
is worth property : " ^' he is quite wealthy." 

Now, to possess property or wealth is one 
thing — to use it properly, and to possess moral 
worth, is often another. To appear in high 
style, either in dress or equipage, is one thing; 
to be a man of principle and moral excellence 
is another. And the style or estate, without 
the other qualities, only renders the man the 
more dangerous and odious. Let us then look 
farther into such things. 

I have known lads so ignorant, and improper- 
ly bred up, that they would treat a plain home- 
spun person with absolute contempt, when the in- 
nocent object of their miserable scorn possessed 
more good sense, more merit and more learning 
and genuine refinement and taste, than the 
gaudy reptile that fluttered in his silks, and 
7 



74 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

solaced his polluted vanity with uncomely and 
obtrusive self-conceit ! 

And I have pitied the case of many a vain 
coquette, or miseducated young Miss, gifted 
with native sprightliness and sensibility, a 
stranger to prudence and good sense, ignorant 
of every thing she ought to know, deaf and dis- 
dainful to the calls of wisdom and piety, and 
bound unconsciously to inevitable ruin ! 

And the world still possesses many plain, in- 
dustrious, sensible men, who began business 
and life in the right loay. Though poor, yet 
rich, because prudent, economical and upright, 
they regularly advanced, became highly re- 
spected, and some of them opulent, and now 
shine as ornaments and lights in the world, the 
best and firmest pillars of society and the state. 
And some such even now, amidst the general 
apostacy, live even in this vicinity. 

Foppery, pedantry and dashy vanity are silly^, 
and though occasionally impertinent and trou- 
blesome, yet are too inoffensive to require much 
attention or reprehension ; but kindness to those 
who are peculiarly addicted to them requires a 
little attention. Youthful soil is the most in- 
fected with these weeds in society, though they 
more or less show themselves through all the 
seasons and stages of life. Enter a ball-room 
or party, and among many modest and sensible 
young persons, a few dashy and conceited ones 
will show themselves so full of affected impor- 
tance, troublesome dictation and impertinent 
vanity, as to raise the stifled or silent contempt 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 7o 

of well-bred and sensible minds. Perhaps one 
of them may have seen a city party or row, and 
is very knowing as to the great things there 
done. Perhaps another may be a clerk in a 
store, or attorney's office, or member of college 
or other seminary ; or even may have passed 
through his classic course. Such places are 
their chosen ground ; and the pedant and vain 
fop wall there display his wonderful airs, w^ith 
all the adroitness of a French dancing master. 
The gayest and most fashionable part of the 
circle will share their special favor and improv- 
ing presence. High-toned conversation and 
compliments w^ill be dealt out — great familiar- 
ity and freedom with the ladies, single and mar- 
ried, will be assumed. They must dictate or lead 
not only in the imjportant topics of conversation, 
but in the amusements and occupations of the 
scene. This impertinence and disgusting deport- 
ment is not confined to lads and men, but the pret- 
ty forward misses must ape them. And while the 
most splendid portion of the party are annoyed, 
or amused by their airs and special favor, the 
plain and reserved part are viewed and treat- 
ed wath neglect, (sometimes a pleasant slight,) 
if not with scorn. They will hasten by an 
aged and discreet class, as they would sheer 
round a gloomy sepulchre. 

I once heard one of this class, having just 
taken a school in a respectable business place, 
where husbands and waives generally visited 
together, complaining of a defect and want of 
iaste in this respect, suggesting that the young 



76 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

married ladies ought to mingle more with the 
others in their merry parties, whether their 
partners would join or not. The discreet mar- 
ried ladies still attended to their proper duties, 
and visited places proper and pleasant for their 
husbands ; and chose to regulate their visits 
and intercourse in their own way, and to leave 
the foppish, forward stranger and school-mas- 
ter to take care of his scholars. And a young 
Miss of fourteen in a neighborhood circle of 
highly respectable friends, when an allusion 
was made to the talents and tenets of Calvin^ 
the great reformer^ pertly remarked, that " Cal- 
vin was an old fool." This class feel and act 
with about as much good sense and manners, 
as this girl did. 

Besides this annoying kind of pride and pa- 
rade, there has prevailed in our dear New Eng- 
land and other sections, a mistaken and destruc- 
tive propensity to what, in fact, though fre- 
quently well meant, and even deemed honorably 
enterprising, amounts to pernicious extrava- 
gance. I mean the taste and mania of expensive 
unnecessary buildings, in villages and the coun- 
try, and for private and public use. No one 
acquainted with the author will attribute this 
suggestion to a narrow, vandalizing, or miserly 
spirit. But every observing man must have 
witnessed much needless expense and sacrifice 
in this way. True policy requires a correct 
taste and practice in relation to public and pri- 
vate edifices and buildings in general use. Our 
southern brethren have not so largely gone into 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 77 

an ultra habit in this business — perhaps they 
may have even erred sometimes on the opposite 
side. There is unquestionably a medium and 
correct course which ought to be adopted, unit- 
ing plainness and elegance, convenience and 
durability; and an enterprising ingenious peo- 
ple will finally seek that course, and prevent 
much unnecessary sacrifice of property and 
convenience. The modern taste and habit of 
erecting huge and expensive hotels, and other 
mansions and buildings of a public kind, have 
many admirers and supporters. But, is it cor- 
rect and promotive of public good? These im- 
mense piles, involving prodigious expense in 
their erection, furnishing and attendance, must 
of course, very considerably increase the ex- 
penses. And the capital involved in these es- 
tablishments, must exceed the means of most 
individuals, and place them in the hands of mere 
hirelings, occupying frequently for short periods, 
and whose grand object must be, to get as much 
as possible from their guests. More moderate 
establishments, to say nothing in relation to the 
expense, would often afford more convenience 
and tranquillity. 

The same taste for splendor and magnificence 
has prevailed in regard to buildinii^s for public 
worship and private dwellings. Pass through 
the country and our villages and cities, and you 
cannot but be struck with the truth of this re- 
mark. See, scattered over this enterprising land, 
large and unnecessary dwelling-houses, often 
partially finished, and awkwardly arranged. 



78 TRIBUTE TO NY COUNTRY. 

To this custom and propensity may be traced 
a, reason why many of the hurried and over- 
done villages, are overwhelmed with embarrass- 
ment ; and many industrious ciiizens plunged 
into debt and insolvency. There is nothing 
gained by it in elegance or appearance, for a 
neat, tasteful, moderate style of building is even 
the most elegant. And as for convenience and 
profit, all correct and experienced minds know 
where these rest. For there are no expendi- 
tures more dead and profitless than those vested 
in extravagant and unnecessary buildings. I 
believe the time will ere long arrive, in this 
region, where stone, and lime, and brick are all 
so easily procured, when a leading portion of 
our buildings shall be constructed of these ma- 
terials, and in a neat and convenient style. ^ 

This habit and propensity is rather a nor- 
thern and middle States' one. And there has 
prevailed a strange custom in our hilly northern 
section, of neglecting valleys and low lands, 
and cleaving to the hills, even their tops, for 
purposes of buildings, roads, &c. The New 
England people have been busied for the last 
thirty years, in correcting this mistaken custom ; 
and much remains yet to be done. It is pecu- 
liarly inconvenient in our bleak climate, to 
locate our meeting-houses, and other public edi- 



* There are many reasons for this chantje in building. In the end, it 
is cheapest ; taking into view, their durability. They are less exposed 
to fire, which has become a most appalling scourge, especially in 
cities and villages. They are cooler in summer and warmer in win- 
ter, and a great saving is made in the trouble and expense of the fre- 
quent repairs which wooden buildings require. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 79 

fices, as well as dwelling-houses, on the pinna- 
cles of our hills, where every thing must be 
dragged up at great toil, and no water-power or 
privilege can be had; and where the boisterous 
winter blasts sweep over with so much severity. 

And then the public roads must also, through 
the same strange custom, pass by these settle- 
ments, and be rendered almost impassable. A 
number of years ago, a most ridiculous notion 
prevailed in favor of making straight roads over 
our broken hilly region. Instead of winding 
round the hills at a moderate ascent, vast merit 
was attached to shortening the distance by 
going direct ; and many leading highways were 
nearly ruined by the practice. It is however 
gratifying to see both our buildings and roads 
descending to more appropriate and convenient 
places. 

The habit and propensity of ascribing vast 
merit and convenience to ancient and distant 
times, places and objects, have long prevailed. 
And our citizens sometimes form imaginary and 
unprofitable notions and views respecting remote 
ages, climates, countries and persons. Hence 
we become enamored with the manners, virtues, 
and supposed simplicity of the ancients, and 
with the soil, climate, and supposed great ex- 
cellences and advantages of far remote and 
newly-discovered or settled countries, and are 
often led by such illusive views, not only to 
overrate the virtues and character of past ages 
and authors, and to slide over their errors and 
vices ; but likewise to fall into a like partial 



80 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

estimate of distant and highly-extolled regions, 
which tends to foster a spirit of restlessness and 
speculation, and hasty, ill-judged removals, and 
much family and individual hardship, disap- 
pointment and distress ; and may occasionally 
lead to misanthropic feelings towards the friends 
and blessings within our reach. "^ 

I need not here allude to the old, wretched 
habits of Gamhling and Intemperance, All 
know that these have been the most deadly ene- 
mies to the young men of our country. Blessed 
be Heaven ! these are beginning to be under- 
stood and resisted in a manner hopeful and 
honorable to the character of the age we live in. 

Shall I name another less alarming, though 
remarkably prevalent and troublesome hahit^ so 
fixed and popular, and sustained by long use 
and indulgence, as probably to defy and baffle 
every effort at reform ? I allude to the ex- 
cessive use of tobacco^ under various forms and 
ways^ by snuffing, smoking and elieiving. This 
powerful and extremely noisome w^eed may be 
useful in certain cases wdth certain ages and 
constitutions ; but being narcotic, exhilirating 
and poisonous, there can be no doubt that its 

* It is not here designed to discourage or condemn the fair course 
of emigration to the West, or valley of the Mississippi, as our west- 
ern regions are termed. But the author even in this, would suggest 
that our eastern emigrants may err in rushing heedlessly, too hastily, 
and too far. Why is it necessary to press on to Texas, California, 
Oregon, or even to upper Missouri, while so much precious and cheap 
land can be had in the states and territories east of the Mississippi, 
and on each side of it ? It has long been my opinion that no part of 
the earth presents surh an expanded extent of fertile land, connected 
with so many advantages, as that region, and I rejoice to see it settled 
and improved by an enlightened and industrious population. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 81 

present unrestrained and general use, by all 
ages and conditions, is often injurious, and in- 
volves much needless expense and inconven- 
ience. It appears well enough to see the aged 
partake in the habit of smoking ; but as boys 
and lads rush into the profuse use of this article, 
puffing about their cigars in all circles, it can- 
not be otherwise viewed than as a needless and 
pernicious habit. 

The proneness and hahit in too many instan- 
ces of believing and circulating evil reports 
against others, and of magnifying their errors ; 
and of sliding over our own faults, or viewing 
them through a partial medium, has a mischiev- 
ous effect both upon ourselves and others, and 
leads to much scandal and injustice. This 
blindness and unfaithfulness to self-accusation 
and examination, has much the same effect in 
morals, as self-righteousness has in religion. 
It wraps us up in self-complacency, and diverts 
or blunts the wholesome influence of needful, 
deserved reproof. Charity and correct feelings 
and manners require the removal of this blind- 
ing beam from our view. 

The agitating, pestiferous Jialit of unkind or 
heedless tattling and slander^ is a besetting, 
vexing habit and sin. Aggravated and mali- 
cious defamation exposes the authors to exem- 
plary damages; but the more general kind of 
uncharitable and random tattling, seldom meets 
with just correction. We ought to shun the 
whole viperous brood, and rise above this grov- 
elling habit, and, like the eagle, take a loftier 



82 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

flight; and range the purer atmosphere of en- 
nobling charity, far above the chilling .mists 
and dirty sloughs of meanness and slander. 

Other habits, connected with self-indulgence 
and gratification, injurious to health and purity, 
might be noticed ; but time will not permit of 
farther details. And I will remark in close, 
that as to the last topic of my discourse, the oc- 
cupations and hiisiness of man, many of the pre- 
ceding observations will justly apply. Let youth 
resolve to do w^ell, and act well their several 
parts — " there all the honor lies " — and firmly 
persevere in such manly purposes ; for broken 
resolutions left unrepaired, lead rapidly to 
moral desolation and ruin. Work while the 
day lasts, and lay up a good supply of useful 
practical knowledge, and rest your character 
and temporal prospects upon the firm basis of 
principle and correct habits, and poise your- 
selves upon this foundation through middle age, 
and desert it not in old age. From motives of 
principle, duty and utility, shun every avenue 
to temptation and vice, and cherish and improve 
your bodily and mental energies and health, 
blending active physical exercise and industry 
with intellectual and literary pursuits and 
efforts. 

Pope says of a distinguished Eoman thus 
employed : 

<« And more true joy Marcellus, exiled, feels, 
Than Ceesar, with a senate at his heels." 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 83 

In the business profession, and leading occu- 
pations of life, consult your own taste, talents 
and best judgment, and the advice of judicious 
men and friends, seeking also the direction, 
guidance and blessing of Heaven, in soberness 
and truth. In your education, preparatory 'to 
the business or profession of life, it is always 
well to have a thought upon the profession or 
line of business you intend to pursue. This 
may not always be practicable, as at that stage 
some may be unable to make the selection. 
While a general course of classical and literary 
study will be proper, those branches and 
sciences more immediately useful in your con- 
templated course of life, ought to claim your 
special attention. For no human mind can be 
equally and fully master of all the different 
branches and departments of science and litera- 
ture. It may at once be seen w^hy a clergyman, 
w^ishing to scan and understand fully the scrip- 
tures, should attend more thoroughly to the 
Greek and Hebrew, than the physician or coun- 
sellor at law, while perhaps the Latin might be 
equally useful to all — and thus in the various 
concerns of life. The traveller, and those en- 
gaged in foreign business, in commerce and 
navigation, will find it useful to pay special at- 
tention to nautical science, natural philosophy, 
geography, and the modern languages. And 
the young man expecting or wishing to be en- 
gaged in the legal profession and politics, need 
not to be told that he will need an acquaintance 
with the best and standard works and treatises 



84 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

on law and jurisprudence. And in all cases, 
and under all circumstances, study and canvass 
the lives and characters of great and good men, 
of the present and past ages ; of the Washing- 
tons, Wesleys, Wilberforces and Franklins of 
the world. Cherish faithful, tender consciences 
towards God and man. Love and venerate 
your Creator, Saviour and Preserver, love your 
country, and fellow immortals, and do them 
good and not harm. Strive to command your 
own temper and rule your own spirits, and to 
gain your fair support by honest means. In 
fine, shun and resist erz'Z, and cleave to that 
which is good; and devoutly seek, through 
faith, penitence and love, to gain the favor of 
your God here^ and his approving welcome 
hereafter. 

Through all the changing scenes below, 
Through joy and hope, through grief and wo, 

Along the walks of life ; 
The sons of men from Noah's day, 
Are prone to passion's restless sway, 

To cruelty and strife. 

They heedless launch on life's rough seas, 
And rashly sail before each breeze, 

Where shoals and breakers lay ; 
No compass to direct and cheer, 
No rudder, mid the waves to steer 

Along the dangerous way. 

No wonder then, such crowds are lost, 
And on life's raging billows tost, 

And ne'er return again ; 
For vile temptation's luring smiles, 
And sin's delusive, treacherous wiles, 

Have rarely ply'd in vain. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 85 

O then, young man ! before too late, 
Seek wisdom as your best estate, 

To g^uide you on the way ; 
Your years once spent, return no more ; 
Nor floods of tears can e'er restore 

One precious, misspent day ! 



I will add another brief discourse, which was 
addressed to a different class, some years pre- 
vious to the preceding ; but which is calculated 
to extend and sustain the subjects and reason- 
ing therein, and the reasons suggested for in- 
serting the last lecture requiring this. 

HEBIARKS 

On artfjicial or affected sensibility, and false delicacy and 

modesty, icitk allusions and animadversions upon 

several popular prejudices and errors. 

Nothing in this *'vale of tears," this state of 
trial and anxiety, can be more pleasant and in- 
teresting than genuine sensibility and friend- 
ship ; and on the other side, how disagreeable 
and annoying is cold stupidity and hypocrisy, 
with ignorance, mean prejudice, and vulgar, 
contracted feeling ? — all uniting their baneful 
influence to foster and extend false notions and 
pernicious habits and practices in relation to 
our duties and moral deportment, and the prev- 
alence of moral and religious apathy and error ; 
or, at best, a false and affected spirit of sensi- 
bility and sympathy. 

This spurious or distorted tone of feeling and 
8 



86 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

sentiment discovers itself in various ways and 
forms, sometimes in the most fulsome flattery 
and heartless compliments, assurances of favor 
and over-kind invitations. Again, it will show 
itself in the most ardent, unpractical and dis- 
gusting declamation and gesticulations, or 
high-toned excitable compositions. The French 
are thought to possess much of this peculiarity; 
and the high and fashionable circles are more 
or less chargeable with it, where more parade, 
form and profession are made, than genuine 
friendship and artless sensibility felt. Much of 
this originates in mere common complacency, 
artful policy, amusement and vanity. 

This tone and spirit, by some most strange- 
ly deemed evidential of merit and real polite- 
ness, is also nourished by too much novel-read' 
ing. Here I would not assume a churlish cen- 
sorship, and condemn the fair and rational use 
of these works — novels and works of fiction. 
The better part of them, such as Scott's, Coop- 
er's, Miss Sedgwick's, &c., are well worth read- 
ing, and may impart some useful knowledge of 
human nature and life, and assist the taste, en- 
liven and interest the mind, and improve our 
style of speaking and writing. But the misuse 
of them, like that of other delicacies and luxu- 
ries, is pernicious. The using them as our 
common and indispensable literary food and 
refreshment, to the disrelish or exclusion of 
more useful and substantial aliment, — this 
vitiates and belittles our minds, and in lieu of 
native and honest sensibility, engenders a dis- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 87 

eased and miserable artificial tone of feeling 
and action. Hear what the celebrated Dr. 
Chalmers says on this subject : 

*'The man who considers the poor, instead of 
slumbering over the emotions of a useless sensi- 
bility, among those imaginary beings, whom 
poetry and romance have laid before him, in all 
the elegance of fictitious history, will bestow 
the labor and attention of actual business among 
the poor of the real and living w^orld. Benevo- 
lence is the burden of every romantic tale, and 
every poet's song. It is dressed out in all the 
fairy enchantments of imagery and eloquence : 
all is beauty to the eye and music to the ear. 
Nothing is seen but pictures of felicity, and noth- 
ing heard, but the soft whispers of gratitude and 
affection. The benevolence of the gospel lies 
in actions. The benevolence of our fictitious 
w^riters, in a kind of high-wrought delicacy of 
feeling and sentiment. The one dissipates all 
its fervor in sighs and tears and idle aspirations; 
the other reserves its strength for efforts and 
execution. The one regards it as a luxurious 
enjoyment of the heart ; the other, as a work 
and business for the hand. The one sits in in- 
dolence, and broods in visionary rapture, over 
its schemes of ideal philanthropy ; the other, 
steps abroad, and enlightens by it presence, the 
dark and pestilential hovels of disease. The 
one wastes away in empty ejaculation ; the 
other, gives time and trouble to the w^ork of be- 
nevolence — gives education to the orphan — pro- 
vides clothes for the naked, and lays food on 



88 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

the table of the hungry. The one is indolent 
and capricious, and often does mischief, by the 
occasional overflowings of a whimsical and ill- 
directed charity ; the other is vigilant and dis- 
cerning, and takes care, lest his distributions 
be injudicious, and the effort of benevolence be 
misapplied. The one is soothed with the lux- 
ury of feeling, and reclines in easy indolent 
satisfaction ; the other shakes off the deceitful 
languor of contemplation and solitude, and de- 
lights in a scene of activity. 

" Remember, that virtue in general is not to 
feel, but to do — not merely to conceive a pur- 
pose, but to carry that purpose into execution — 
not merely to be overpowered by the impression 
of a sentiment, but to practice what it loves, 
and to imitate what it admires. 

*^ To be benevolent in speculation, is often to 
be selfish in action and reality. The vanity 
and the indolence of man, delude him into a 
thousand inconsistencies. He professes to love 
even the semblance of virtue, but the labor of 
exertion and of self-denial, terrifies him from 
attempting it. The emotions of kindness are 
delightful to his bosom; but then, they are lit- 
tle better than a selfish indulgence — they termi- 
nate in his own enjoyment — they are a mere 
refinement of luxury. His eye melts over the 
picture of fictitious distress, while not a tear is 
left for the actual starvation and misery with 
which he is surrounded. You are not to con- 
ceive yourself a real lover of your species, and 
entitled to the praise or the reward of benevo- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 89 

lence, because you weep over a fictitious repre- 
sentation of human misery. A man may weep 
in the indolence of a studious and contemplative 
retirement;' he may breathe all the tender as- 
pirations of humanity; but what avails all this 
warm and effusive benevolence, if it is never 
exerted — if it never rise to exertion — if it 
never carry him to the accomplishment of a sin- 
gle benevolent purpose — if it shrink from acti- 
vity, and sicken at the pain of fatigue. It is 
easy indeed to come forward with the cant of 
hypocrisy of fine sentiment ; to have a heart 
trained to the emotions of benevolence, while 
the hand refuses the labors of discharging its 
offices ; to wee'p for amusement, and to have 
nothing to spare for human suffering, but the 
tribute of an indolent and unmeaning sympathy *^^ 

I might extend these beautiful and appropriate 
extracts ; but enough has been said on this 
part of my discourse ; and I will hasten to dis- 
cuss the other topics alluded to: — false delicacy 
and modesty, and popular prejicdices and errors. 

First : In respect to amusements. These are 
designed as relaxations and entertainments ; 
and are in their nature, alluring, and through 
the influence of fashion and habit, may become 
intensely absorbing. The character and pros- 
pects of nations, are deeply affected by them. 
An indolent, volatile or effeminate people are 
more prone to kindred amusements, than a 
laborious and enterprising one. The deteriora- 
tion and downfall of Grecian and Roman enter- 
prise and independence, were preceded by an 
8# 



90 TRIBUTE TO LIY COUNTRY. 

excessive fondness for amusement and luxury. 
A wise people will guard against an improper 
indulgence of those habits and amusements, 
which are pernicious to the morals and manly 
energies and character of the republic; and 
strive to introduce and encourage a rational and 
useful system. Society and individuals require 
proper recreations and amusements. Let them 
be based upon reason and morality, and have in 
view both mental and bodily improvement and 
benefit. Habit and fashion will make them 
agreeable. How soon would the use of a tum- 
bler of pure water become as grateful to the taste 
as the harsh bitters and high-wrought drams of 
former days ; and the pleasant, useful lyceum- 
room, or social moral improving meeting, as the 
midnight noisy revel or the heartless theatre! 
and no intelligent, correct mind, bred up to de- 
vote the holy Sabbath to appropriate worship, 
calm rest, and religious and moral improvement, 
would exchange or part with these dear privi- 
leges on any consideration. Hence the vast im- 
portance of a rigid discipline in the regulation 
of our habits and customs. Every inclination 
and habit of decidedly vicious or injurious ten- 
dency in thought, word or deed, ought to be 
carefully avoided or immediately subdued; but 
so mistaken and contracted are many minds, 
that many of these are less dreaded than others 
in themselves comparatively innocent, and even • 
useful. 

For instance, in relation to balls, or the 
amusement of dancings many people, and those 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 91 

too of a thoughtful, respectable and pious class, 
can perceive nothing in this custom but immo- 
rality and crime ; and while they may view 
bitter invective, slander, extortion and specula- 
tion, with many cheating habits of marketing, 
and grinding avarice, with a degree of sang 
froid^ would seem to shudder at the idea of en- 
tering a hall room^ however orderly arranged 
and conducted. Now this is misjudging. 
Properly regulated and duly restrained, this 
may be both a civil and healthful recreation for 
the young. And as with many other customs 
and practices, the difficulty lies in the misman- 
agement and abuse of it. If connected with 
dissipation, rudeness and extravagance, it will 
of course be injurious and immoral. And all 
must be sensible that too much of this — too 
much dashing extravagance of dress, equipage 
and finical preparation have crept into fashion 
in this amusement. Too much time, and many 
unseasonable hours have been devoted to it. 
And most have noticed at our balls, and other 
scenes of gay amusements, a great and culpable 
want of prudence, (not to say of good sense and 
decency,) and of care of health from exposure to 
colds and consumptions, in a vain destitution of 
proper and substantial clothing. And this ex- 
cess of vain pomp and extravagance, has often 
fascinated the young and inexperienced to dis- 
relish and despise the plain and ordinary avo- 
cations and affairs of life, and by dazzling and 
unduly exciting the youthful, susceptible imag- 
inations, seduced thousands into dissipation, 



92 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

lewdness, bankruptcy, and every evil work. 
Under such miserable excitement and delusion, 
many are led to more preparation, solicitude and 
sacrifice to participate in a splendid dance or 
ballj than they would undertake. to establish 
themselves in a fair business for life. But once 
let these abuses become disreputable, and the 
balls be properly limited and distinguished for 
prudence, plain and neat simplicity, and for cor- 
rect moral deportment and order; and relieved 
from all loose and vicious manners, coquetry 
and vain extravagance, and all might be well. 
Care should also be taken, not to introduce 
them too near upon mournful and solemn occa- 
sions. Nothing can be more out of place than 
lo see such scenes disturbing the feeling and 
solemnity of serious and funeral occasions. 

This marked antipathy to particular amuse- 
ments, and partiality to others, is seen in many 
other cases. Many very honest and amiable 
persons will look upon the game or amuse- 
ment of chess^ billiards or lohist with keen dis- 
approbation, while the puzzling game of check- 
ers^ and noisy play of hlindfold^ appear in their 
view as pleasant and commendable. 

Similar 'prejudices are manifested through the 
w^hole circle of habits and customs, recreations 
and business of life. These prejudices and er- 
rors generally owe their existence to early im- 
pressions and limited views of human nature. 

Another habit and prevalent error is that of 
ascribing a wrong, and even obscene bearing 
or application to words and language proper in 



I 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 93 

themselves, but which may be differently con- 
strued, to the prejudice of the author. This 
perversion and distortion of one's sentiments 
and expressions is an index of a low or loose 
mind ; and extend to actions and address as 
well as language. If social and frank people, 
especially those of different sexes, happen to 
exercise a free and familiar conversation and 
manner with each other, however correct and 
pure ; or cordially to greet each other in a man- 
ner not exactly to the taste of these busy wise- 
acres, it will probably be viewed and represent- 
ed as wanton or ridiculous ; when in fact this 
very frankness and artless manner is often the 
surest test of innocence and worth. Care should 
be taken against the indulgence of such preju- 
dices and ignoble feelings, for the frank and 
honest mind has less cold, calculating hypocrisy 
and management in his manner and address 
than the designing villain. 

When the celebrated Judge was im- 
peached before the senate of the United States, 
two affectionate daughters attended during the 
final question, which so deeply involved the 
honor and welfare of their father and family ; 
and they had the pleasure to witness that the 
two democratic senators from Vermont, both 
politically opposed to their father, voted in his 
favor, and thereby saved their aged parent on 
some of the charges. This independent con- 
duct made a deep impression on the minds of 
these filial daughters. These senators after- 
ward, through the invitation of the late Hon. 



94 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

Mr. H , called upon the Judge's family. As 

they entered the house, and were recognized, 
these lovely daughters saluted them with a cor- 
dial kiss in token of their gratitude. Now, 
what rude beings, in the estimation of certain 
people, must these warm-hearted children have 
been ! While in reality, the transaction was 
not only pure, but highly proper and becoming ; 
still I admit, and enjoin, that in the general in- 
tercourse of the sexes, a prudent reserve and 
dignified deportment is proper and necessary, 
especially towards the more vulgar and uncul- 
tivated ; for man}^ conceited coxcombs would 
view even a generous smile from a female as 
evidence of lewdness, and an invitation to rude 
and lascivious liberties. 

At a fashionable party, while the celebrated 

Mr. D , distinguished as a belles-lettres 

scholar, was editor of a leading periodical 

in , a lady speaking of another, who was 

absent, but happened to be the subject of con- 
versation, observed that she was a lady of bril- 
liant imagination and easy delivery. Though 
spoken in friendship, and designed as strictly 
friendly and complimentary, it caused an insult- 
ing sneer from some of the company, and so 
mortified the lady, that she rose to leave the 
room, observing that she must unconsciously 
have done something improper, and lamented 
that she was ignorant of her ofience. Mr. D. 
took fire at the abuse of this lady, and being 
the pride and ornament of the circle, and high- 
ly gifted with colloquial talents, vindicated the 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 95 

r 

perfect propriety and delicacy of the remark, 
and denounced that perversion of intellect that 
could attach no other meaning to the word de- 
livery than child-birth, very little to the honor 
of those who had raised the vulgar sneer. Hovv 
improper and even ridiculous was that ill-di- 
rected sneer ? The enlightened world has a 
fair right to ascribe meanness and bad taste to 
those who are ready to impute the worst mo- 
tives and meaning to the language and actions 
of others. And this is a prominent and odious 
trait in the character of many, and may be 
ranked among the 'popular errors of the age. 

And it cannot be denied that no small class 
are haunted with continual prejudices and jeal- 
ousy against the wealthy, the elevated and 
learned classes of community. They ascribe 
to the rich and honorable, the most odious pride 
and hauteur, merely because they are placed 
higher in community than themselves ; and are 
ready to oppose and traduce them and their 
families as nabobs and aristocrats ; when in 
justice and truth, men and women ought to be 
judged (as they are by their Creator) according 
to their real merit or demerit, and not according 
to the quantum of riches or poverty they may 
possess, or the particular grade they may oc- 
cupy in society, or the world. How many of 
the rich and exalted characters of our day, ex- 
hibit lives consecrated to piety, moral rectitude 
and untiring benevolence ! 

And it is equally clear, that there is another 



96 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

class of pompous and superficial people equally 
prejudiced and disdainful towards every person 
and thing plain and unpolished. These preju- 
dices and errors, however prevalent savor of 
meanness and folly. The Bible says, " the 
rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the 
maker of them all." 

Whims and prejudices, according to the fash- 
ion of the times, even prevail in relation to 
names and terms, and have a powerful bearing 
upon authors and orators. A single phrase or 
peculiarity, trifling in its nature, uttered or pub- 
lished ; and a single oratorical dash, or the ab- 
sence of flourish, or a flat or feeble tone of the 
voice, may build up, or pull down a respectable 
speaker or writer in the estimation of many, ac- 
cording as it happens to strike their ears or 
tastes. I recollect when the terms pa and ma^ 
arbitrarily substituted for father and mother^ 
w^ere so much in vogue, that a person adhering 
to the good old style of calling his parents 
father and mother, Vvas considered little less 
than a vulgar ignoramus. The terms were 
probably a contraction of the Latin words pater 
and mater^ and were well enough for children 
and the familiar style ; but to exile the legiti- 
mate and venerable words o( father and mother 
for their accommodation, was never deemed 
necessary by sound literary gentlemen. And 
our southern brethren generally ridiculed the 
insipid terms. And the corrected taste of the 
public is now such, that the friendly and gen- 



I 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 97 

uine language of father and mother may be 
used without incurring insult. Other instances 
might be adverted to, of similar customs and 
affectation. A peculiar twisting and bending 
the sound, or pronunciation, of the letter u in 
many words, giving it a remarkable diewmg 
character, as vixchew^ spiritc/zez/jality, &c. was a 
few years since all the ton, with a certain class 
of speakers, and still prevails to some extent. 
And an awkward emphasis of a few monosylla- 
bles gave to common conversation a stiff and 
affected turn, such as, "I am not well — He is 
not at home," &;c. 

Thus we find how prone mankind are to 
prejudices, popular errors, affectation and nov- 
elties. 

Nor do the most serious and solemn subjects 
escape this prejudice and false delicacy and 
abuse. Children and others are often affected 
with a horrid dread and aversion to the very 
thought of sickness, death and eternity. They 
avoid a sick room, even that of friends and con- 
nexions, as they would a dismal sepulchre; and 
as for giving any suitable thoughts to the great 
and momentous concerns of death, the soul, and 
approaching entrance upon futurity, the eternal 
state beyond the grave, how unwilling are their 
volatile and uncorrected hearts ! And what ef- 
forts and contrivances are resorted to, to keep 
them at a distance ! Even the great and chris- 
tian duty of prayer is dreaded as a gloomy 
business, and irksome restraint ! All these dis- 
torted and unhappy feelings arise from prejudice 
9 



98 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

and erroneous impressions and education. And 
the popular notion and habit of seeking ways 
and means " to kill time^'^^ as it is termed, has 
the same origin. Ah, why so anxious to loaste 
or kill the few short hours of your existence I 
Do not, thoughtless man, the wheels of time roll 
fleet enough ! How long do the last twenty 
years appear in a retrospective glance ? where 
(if your life should in mercy be spared) will the 
next term of fifteen or twenty years place you? 
On the very border of life, in dotage or infirmity 
beyond all remedy ! Why then so anxious to 
speed or waste the period of comfort, activity 
and usefulness ? 

Sickness and mourning are often bestowed in 
mercy, to reclaim the w^ayward wanderer to duty 
and virtue — sometimes as judgments for self- 
abuse, presumption and impiety. We ought to 
view them as such, and cordially render our 
sympathy and assistance to the distressed and 
needy, and profit through their instrumentality. 
The good Samaritan's benevolence and practi- 
cal kindness is enrolled on divine record as a 
perpetual memorial. And where would the 
sick and dying find aid and consolation, if men 
generally dreaded and avoided them. ? Thank 
Heaven, " the feeling heart," the helping hand, 
and " the tear of pity," have not yet abandoned 
this vale of sorrow and suffering. All do not 
pass by the sick and bereaved, like the heart- 
less Levite — all do not, through dread, or cold 
and false notions of selfish safety and ease, fly 



I 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 99 

from the abode of sickness and distress, or the 
chastening, instructive scenes of mourning. 
All are not ashamed of their Saviour's cause, 
and requirements of prayer and religious duties 
— all are not deaf and dead to a proper and 
enlightened regard and attention to the things 
that pertain to their future and everlasting 
welfare. 

" Ashamed of Jesus ! yes we may, 
When we 've no sins to wash away." 

Some people in high and giddy life, entertain 
a morbid and uncomely antipathy towards the 
natural indulgence of ordinary grief, on the 
death of friends and relations. I recollect a case 
where a gentleman of this cast, on the evening 
after the funeral of his wife, finding his children 
weeping at the loss of their beloved mother, ap- 
peared much engaged to cheer up their minds, 
and finally got his violin and struck up some 
lively airs, and urged them to dance^ in order 
to divert their grief ! How much better might 
this bereaved husband have employed these 
moments in mingling his tears with theirs, and 
taking such an opportunity to impress upon 
their tender minds, moral and religious instruc- 
tion ! But he had no such taste. He knew 
better the play of his fiddle than the nature and 
use of mourning and affliction. His pi'ejudices 
and false delicacy thus led him into barbarous 
insensibility and stupid folly ; and he, not long 
after, died an unhappy, fallen man. 



100 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

And lastly, I will allude to a general case of 
false delicacy, resting principally in omission 
of duty and faithfulness to our friends and each 
other, in relation to their habits and views, 
which savors of meanness or cowardice. Some- 
times, to be sure, we meet with a firm, yet mild 
and faithful monitor in our connexions and 
friends ; but oftener with such as withhold all 
needed and wholesome reproof and advice, lest 
they should disturb or wound our feelings ; and 
hence we generally pass along in great igno- 
rance of our own faults and those of our families 
and connexions. I remember a case in point. 
An unwise father, on finding that a favorite son 
had committed an offence of somewhat popular 
cast with the gay world, and that satisfaction 
must be made, or a suit would be instituted, 
concluded to compromise the affair, but on set- 
tling, requested that his son might be kept ig- 
norant of the payment, lest his feelings might 
be hurt. The favor was granted ; and the son 
soon after fell into deeper crime, was prosecuted, 
and ultimately became a noisome vagabond. 

Honest principle and duty, as well as friend- 
ship and affection, demand a far different prac- 
tice. We ought with all the zeal and energy 
of love, to arrest their faulty and vicious course, 
and like the prophet Nathan hold forth the 
gloomy picture of their sins, and say, *' Thou art 
the man ! " By such a frank and faithful course, 
we might often save from moral shipwreck our 
dearest friends and neighbors, and witness the 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 101 

return of many deluded Avanderers to duty and 
love, and receive from their corrected hearts 
the rich tribute of gratitude and thankfulness. 

Thus I have endeavored to trace out and ex- 
pose the lurking-places and progress of some 
popular errors and prejudices, and the deleteri- 
ous effects of affected or morbid sensibility and 
delicacy. 



9* 



CHAPTER III. 

Containing some useful hints and views of National policy and 
justice, and of our political and business concerns and property, 
and various relations in life ; and also some deeply interesting 
points in Religion and Morals. 

Such as expect in the following pages, any 
attempt at political or party effect, or popular 
declamation, or an effort to gain applause or 
patronage by exciting or fostering the peculiar 
political or religious tenets of any party, denom- 
ination, or class of men, will be disappointed. 
But such readers and patriots as wish to pro- 
mote and sustain the cause of truth, piety, liberty, 
morals and benevolence — to hold converse and 
counsel on the causes of national, as well as indi- 
vidual dangers, difficulties and miseries, and also 
of those which lead to safety, happiness and 
durable prosperity ; such as would calmly view 
things in their true light — shun danger, and 
correct evil — restore and secure a pure state of 
moral and political feeling and principle — and 
to lead the risen and rising generation into that 
practical industry and sobriety which maketh 
rich and honorable through diligence and peace ; 
in fine, to unite the American people into a band 
of brothers, feeling that truth and *' righteous- 
ness exalteth a nation^'''' while *' sin is a reproach 
to any people," — that moral and religious light 
and influence can alone render our liberties and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 



103 



enterprises useful and permanent ; — to such I 
commend this book as a friend and help-mate. 

Nations hitherto have had their rise and fall, 
their morning, noon, and evening. And so 
strikingly have passed through these changes 
and revolutions, that those most prominent in his- 
tory have scarce a living witness of their for- 
mer standing and glory. "Where now is Baby- 
lonia, Media, Macedonia, and Carthagenia ? 
Where is now the splendor and glory of Jerusa- 
lem, Nineveh, Athens, and Rome ? Are not 
modern nations subject to like changes and re- 
verses ? Compared with many nations, the 
preservation and longevity of England and 
France, with their mighty influence and powder, 
afford matter for deep and instructive contem- 
plation, inasmuch as they present almost an ex- 
ception to the general progress of nations, and 
have baffled the predictions of their enemies ; 
and may be ascribed to extraordinary causes 
and efforts, under the favor and providence of 
Heaven. Has not a cherished spirit of industry 
and emulation, combined with a noble zeal for 
national character and improvement, prevailed 
there, more than in most other nations ? And 
although much evil and corruption have pre- 
vailed in those nations, yet the mild and con- 
servative influences of religion and learning 
have softened and enlightened the native fierce- 
ness of the people, and amidst all their impiety, 
probably more righteous souls have dwelt in 
London and Paris, than were required to save 
guilty Sodom itself. 



104 TRIBUTE TO MY COITNTRY. 

Cruel and oppressive as they may have been 
at home and abroad, during various periods of 
their existence, still, Englishmen and French- 
men foster an ardent and invincible partiality 
and love for their native lands. And well they 
may. Standing at the head of the great family 
of nations, in wealth and power, in civilization, 
business and arms, in literature and the arts ; 
who would not glory in being ranked among 
their sons and citizens ? Well may the bosoms 
of their distant sons, however remotely dwell- 
ing, and however estranged by long absence, 
and even banishment from their native shores, 
swell with mingled feelings of admiration and 
regret at the recollection of their native lands, 
and the gloomy distance assigned them ! 

And one of those remarkable nations is our 
parent country ; and the other has been render- 
ed deeply interesting to us by events connected 
with our history and independence. We are 
more intimately connected with those countries 
than with the rest of the world. Our inter- 
course and business have been more with them, 
and if we are wise, we shall profit by our ac- 
quaintance, avoiding their errors, and gather- 
ing much benefit and instruction from their ex- 
perience and wisdom. 

But we must not rely, for our welfare, im- 
provement and preservation, upon our own lo- 
cal advantages, our great and distinguished 
privileges, or upon foreign and extraneous aid. 
Wisdom directs that we look to better and surer 
sources. It will be well for us to know our- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 10-5 

selves^ our dangers, our besetting temptations 
and sins ; and our great individual and national 
duties. And to gain this knowledge and true 
wisdom, we must be true and faithful to our- 
selves and others. For if this people are led to 
substitute selfishness and jpovjer for rights and 
to adopt or reject measures and systems from 
motives of party and prejudice, without due re- 
gard to justice, wisdom and truth, or to act 
from emotion and passion, rather than from 
reason and principle, the great and manifold 
blessings and privileges bestowed upon us by 
indulgent Heaven, the prayers, efforts and sacri- 
fices of our 'pilgrim ancestors^ and the precious 
counsels and admonitions of our illustrious 
Washington, will all have been lavished upon 
us in vain ; and this extended and beautiful 
land^ this smiliiig heritage of civil and. religious 
liberty^ will become odious as Turkey and other 
gloomy regions of despotism, and desolate as 
Sodom and Gobiorrah ! 

It may be useful to allude to our present sit- 
uation and prospects, and reflect upon some of 
our privileges and mercies, as well as the dan- 
gers and difficulties connected with our condi- 
tion and destiny ; — such as our special political, 
moral and religious advantages and prospects; 
our safe and auspicious location and facilities 
for business and advancement; our rapid in- 
crease in numbers and improvement, and exten- 
sion in territory and population; our dark and 
ponderous system of slavery, and the great in- 
flux and influence of foreigners ; — and also to 



106 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

some leading habits and notions, as well in re- 
lation to business, education and customs, as 
the necessary or probable results and conse- 
quences. 

And firsts in regard to our distinguished 
privileges and condition. Here the sacred rule 
applies, '' where much is given, much will be 
required." Planted and nurtured amidst the 
healthful and cheering beams of gospel and 
political light, early taught and chastened in 
the school of industry, toil and danger, and 
blessed with leaders and sons preeminent in 
talent and enterprise — in ardent patriotism and 
moral excellence and courage, and blessed also 
with a government, and civil institutions, the 
admiration and envy of the world ; — and in a 
great degree secured by distance, and inter- 
vening oceans, from the assaults and direct in- 
fluence of the old and powerful nations of the 
East, with a rich, capacious territory, and com- 
mercial and business advantages that yield 
every facility to national and individual enter- 
prise and prosperity : — with such means and 
privileges, w^hat will, what ought not to be 
hoped and expected from us ? It will at least 
, be expected, by the friends of man and rational 
liberty that we should be a happy, grateful, 
just and useful people; faithful to ourselves, 
and just and generous to the world. 

In all these and other incumbent duties, I hope 
that Americans will do their duty — their whole 
duty. But is there no danger? Is our present 
course and the broad expanse before us, free 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 107 

from all the usual quicksands and tempests of 
time's vast ocean ? Have prosperity and secu- 
rity, with rapid advancement in business and 
wealth, lost their corrupting and dangerous in- 
fluence? Do faithful history and experience 
give us new and cheering tales on this and other 
subjects connected with the revolutions and 
progress of nations ? Or, do they still hold up 
to view, that nations prosperous and powerful 
are apt to become restless, aspiring and oppres- 
sive, until their own injustice and folly, their 
turbulence, and wide-spread territory and popu- 
lation, "^ or the displeasure of righteous Heaven, 
humble and destroy them? Ah. yes! How 
many opulent and powerful kingdoms and cities, 
once so full of people, so full of joy and hope, 
have mouldered into ruins ! What now is Pal- 
estine, Assyria, Greece and Rome ! where is 
Carthage, that made proud Eome to tremble ! 
and how stands Tyre, " in the midst of the seas,'* 
of which the prophet said '* thy builders have 
perfected thy beauty," and ^'thou wast replen- 
ished and made very glorious ?" And lo ! what 
are all those magnificent places now ! and what 
too, has thus suddenly become of the gigantic 

* There is some diversity of sentiment in this country as to extend- 
inif our territory. While all classes are tenacious of holding- what 
they consider as our own, either at the East or the West, many feel 
much alarm at the acquisition of new territory, whether it be in Texas, 
Canada, or elswhere. While every improper propensity to ambition, 
and unjust acquisition, ought to be restrained ; a serious consideration 
arises in regard to adjoining important regions, which may he hon- 
estly acquired by open and fair arrangement. Would not a part of 
Mexico and even Canada, thus becoming a component part of this Re- 
, public, and growing up under our laws and institutions, be safer and 
happier, than if kept under foreign domination and hostile institutions ? 



108 TRIBUTE TO 3IY COLWTRY. 

power and dazzling throne of Napoleon, who 
for a score of years scarcely realized a defeat, | 
reignino^ the proud dictator of continental ) 
Europe ? Go ask the lonely isle of St. Helena^ \ 
or the scattered remnants of his family and com- 
rades I 

We may fatally err, if we deem ourselves ex- 
empt from the common fate and destiny of . 
nations ; and not a few believe that we ought 
to have peculiar reasons for serious apprehen- { 
sions, that our unjust conduct towards the 
aborigines of this land, and the African race ; 
that our deep-rooted and ponderous system of 
slavery ; that the prodigious importation or 
influx of foreigners, w^hich so alarms many a 
protestant, and real lover of our country's pu- 
rity and institutions ;* that our ardent, excita- 
ble, adventurous and aspiring notions and 
feelings, our fondness for new territories and 
possessions, and our thirsts for speculation, 
wealth, influence and office ; are all so manv 
just causes and subjects of serious alarms And 
many Vvuse and reflecting Americans, not political 

* The tide of eroizTatinn from Europe is astoni?hing ; 1700 are said 
to have arrived at New York, in one week, the past July. A great 
portion of these are poor : and many of low, intemperate habits. 
Those from Germany, Scotland, &:c. are more regular and useful. 

Now, as I have before suggested, this great influx of such charac- 
ters is calculated to aifect our country most deeply ; and it is our in- 
terest and duty to look weW to this business. 

We have opened our country to the world, styling our land, 
" the asylum of the oppressed." We have plenty of room, land and 
business ; and we must, if we know our interest and duty, both to 
them and ourselves, adopt proper and salutary regulations, so that 
they may be properly located and employed, and where ignorant be 
instructed in husbandry, &:c. and their children promptly placed under 
moral and religious influence. On this point, our laws and benevolent 
associations should harmonize, or violence and ruin will be the result. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTKY. 109 

or sectarian partisans, believe there is a discour- 
agingstate of morals, candor and prudence threat- 
ening the welfare and character of our country, 
which illy compares with the condition and as- 
pect of these States in the days of Washington, 
when his counsels and admonition commanded 
the general attention and respect of our citizens, 
and more especially of the youth of this repub- 
lic ; and when more regard to genuine worth 
and exalted merit, and less regard to mere party 
and favoritism, influenced our elections and ap- 
pointments. Truly, those were golden days, 
politically and morally speaking, and well fitted, 
and auspiciously improved, to give to our coun- 
try her independence and civil constitution and 
government. 

Now, can we believe, under this view of 
things, that this people, however generally en- 
lightened and well disposed, have nothing to 
fear ? That the prospect before us is alto- 
gether clear and propitious ? Judge ye, my 
countrymen, and be wise ! The author is not 
disposed to dwell upon the dark side, or to hold 
forth imaginary dangers, and useless, gloomy 
forebodings of evil ; but faithfully and affec- 
tionately to suggest some salutary truths and 
axioms, as connected with and affecting men 
and nations ; and by acquainting ourselves with 
the difficulties incident to the way, to enable us 
to meet or avoid them ; and above all, to shun 
that thoughtless, vain and presumptions character 
and folly, which always has, and always will, 
lead to dishonor and ruin. And in view of the 
10 



110 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRV. 

present state of things, I appeal to your own 
observation and knowledge as ample authority 
for these friendly hints and suggestions. Has 
not a general thirst for speculation and ostenta- 
tion ; for wealth by the wholesale^ and without 
delay )* for office and preferment ; for pleas- 
ure, self-indulgence end gratification ; and for 
ultra and reckless measures and theories ; (pass- 
ing by other pernicious or kindred faults and 
vices, in reference to our habits and dealings, 
party violence, and lack of truth and candor,) 
with the natural resulting aversion to the hum- 
ble and ordinary useful walks and business of 
life, and to regular, honest, persevering indus- 
try and economy; operated most injuriously upon 
our age, character and welfare ? 

But alive to duty and patriotism, let this 
American family duly prize their precious privi- 
leges and blessings. On them, rests a solemn 
responsibility, no less than the welfare of mil- 
lions, and the cause of regulated constitutional 
liberty. If through abuse or neglect Liberty shall 
here droop and perish^ then indeed her friends 
and advocates may mourn as without hope. If 
the moral atmosphere shall darken, and the 
political horizon be agitated with boding tem- 
pests, be not in despair, but unitedly and firmly 
rally round the standard and temple of republi- 
can liberty, repair every breach, and guard well 

* " A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he that maketh 
haste to be Wc/i shall not be innocent.'^— Pioverbs xxviii. 20. The 
latter part of this verse ju^^tly rebukes that reckless wicked specu- 
lation, alluded to by the author. " lie that trusteth in his riches, shall 
fall." Idolizing them, and forgetting the giver. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. Ill 

her portals and ramparts from every assault ; 
and through the blessing of Heaven, there is a re- 
deeming spirit abroad in the country and the 
world. Amidst the abounding excitements and 
evils of the age, we behold corresponding efforts 
on the side of liberty and order — of morals and 
religion, enlightening and softening the govern- 
ment and nations of the earth. Ignorance, su- 
perstition and heathenism are passing away 
before the march of civilization and the cheering 
influences of the christian religion. The gloomy 
temples and darkness of idolatry are falling 
away, and the orderly and sublime worship of the 
true Godispervadingand enlighteningthe world. 
Here too, and throuo-hout the civilized world, 
the active progress of charity, humanity and 
general improvement, are happily imparting 
their healing and salutary effects. The benevo- 
lent improvements in the punishment and dis- 
cipline of criminals, and regulation of prisons 
and penitentiaries ; the numerous asylums and 
institutions for the comfort and relief of the in- 
sane, the blind, the deaf and dumb, and other 
unfortunate and afflicted classes of human beings, 
till recently inhumanly neglected — such needed 
and commendable efforts of practical benevo- 
lence exhibit this progressive spirit. Such 
noble moral achievements, with the aston- 
ishing advancements and improvements in the 
various labors and business of life, throuo^h the . 
agency of steam power* and machinery, rail- 

* The transportation and travelling by steam power, seem as yet to 
be attended with great peril, from the explosions or bursting of boilers, 



I 



112 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

roads and canals, and the general agricultural 
and mechanical improvements, are among the 
clustering wonders of this interesting era ; and it 
only requires a reasonable self-correction and pru- 
dent discipline, brought home to our own hearts 
and practice, to make the opening prospects of 
human improvement, happiness and security, 
most brilliant and cheering. Let one and all, 
then, duly consider these things, and manfully 
resolve to do our duty, "■ trusting in God, and 
full of couraofe." For Heaven is not blind or 
indifferent to the state and conduct of nations 
and men : 

'^ Those wakeful eyes, 
Which never sleep, 
Shall Israel keep, 

When dangers rise." 

On national justice and policy continued — Peace and War ; 
Slavery — Intemperance — Education — Importance of ordi- 
nary and small habits and things, too often neglected. 

Justice and morality are as indispensable to 
the character and welfare of a nation, as they 

or vessels charged with the steam. Otherwise, this mode would 
(and indeed has already) put all other modes in the back ground. 
The terrible disasters and repeated loss of many valuable lives, and 
the still great popularity and fondness for travelling in this way, all 
demand the most prompt legislative and remedial action, to protect 
the thousands that daily embark in these boats. More than a thou- 
sand have perished in one year in this way. Can nothing be done? 
Accidents and loss of life on rail-roads have been comparatively tri- 
fling ; and with ordinary fair care, few will probably happen. Not so 
with the boats ; a great portion of these occur through the carelesness 
or unskilfulness of those conducting them. All racing and overcharg- 
ing ought to be effectually restrained ; and competent Boards of 
Commissioners might be constituted to examine the machinery, and 
pass upon its soundness and fitness, and bonds might be required not 
to employ ignorant, reckless or intemperate hands in the management 
of these vessels while carrying passengers. And the mechanical 
genius of the country ought to be invoked and enlisted to invent 
guards and means for the prevention of this dreadful destruction of 
life. 



TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 113 

are to individuals and limited circles. Without 
a due regard to these, no nation can be confided 
in or truly respected, either by its own citizens, 
or other nations. A nation trifling with these 
great duties or attributes, may expect a tur- 
bulent and rebellious population, if not foreign 
and civil wars; and by injuring and oppressing 
others, it generally brings ruin upon itself: 
Sometimes, to be sure, vengeance or retributive 
justice is slow and long delayed. History is 
full of confirmation on this point. The whole 
progress of the ancient Jews proves the position 
that Heaven does visit judgments upon the na- 
tions that forget God, and sink into wickedness 
and pollution. Taunt not at these hints, my 
countrymen ! Rather go to the source of all 
wisdom, and learn the truth ! Go also to 
Washington's farewell address or legacy, and 
in that precious address, read " of all the dis- 
positions and habits which lead to political pros- 
perity, religion and morality are indispensable 
supports. In vain would that man claim the 
tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert 
these great pillars of human happiness; these 
firm props of the duties of men and citizens. 
The mere politician equally with the pious man 
ought to respect and cherish them. A volume 
could not trace all their connexions with private 
and public felicity." *' It is substantially true, 
that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of 
popular government. The rule indeed extends 
with more or less force to every sp€cies of free 
governments. Who that is a sincere friend io 
10*' 



I 



114 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

it, can look with indifference upon attempts to 
shake the foundation of the fabric ? 

" Promote then, as an object of primary im- 
portance, institutions for the general diffusion of 
knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a 
government gives force to public opinion, it is 
essential that public opinion should be enlight- 
ened. 

** It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and 
at no distant period, a great nation, to give to 
mankind the magnanimous and too novel exam- 
ple of a people ahoays guided by an enlightened 
justice and benevolence.^^ Such was the solemn 
advice of our Washington ! 

The pacific measures and policy of great 
Britain, and the leading powers of Europe, for 
the last twenty-five years, is auspicious for the 
cause of humanity. They have not only kept 
aloof from serious wars, but have even exerted 
a salutary influence in hushing the controversies 
of other nations, and silenced the slander that 
they could not exist without warfare and plunder. 

To say nothing of our wars, which may have 
been as just as others; it is to be feared that 
our dealings with the colored races have not 
been right in the sight of Heaven, and even 
human justice. Our great Mr. Jefferson trem- 
bled in view of our conduct, when he reflected 
upon the justice of Heaven. We may need cor- 
rection and even chastisement for our treatment 
of the African race and Indian tribes, unless we 
make all possible amends. I have long enter- 
tained serious apprehensions on this subject; 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 115 

and I sincerely desire to see our future dealings 
with them distinguished by the most noble and 
undeviating equity and benevolence. Mankind 
are prone to selfishness and aggrandizement. 
Nations and individuals too often substitute 
power and interest for right, and policy for 
justice. And in the exercise of these practices 
and propensities, are led to regard too little the 
real nature and justice of the matter. And 
however we may view these things, and excuse 
ourselves with interested plausible pretences ; 
the ears of Omnipotence are not closed to the 
cries of the injured and oppressed. 

Whatever may be the true interest and policy 
of other nations, our policy and interest and 
glory are obviously connected with a just and 
pacific treatment of other nations. We need 
no wicked wars to give employ to a needy or 
desperate portion of our population, nor ill-got- 
ten plunder to supply our coffers. Enough of 
better business, and purer treasures and resour- 
ces are within our reach. And our enlightened 
and true-hearted countrymen are too wise and 
happy to delight in war and carnage. We 
have no motive or taste for foreign aggressive 
war ; and foreign nations know us too well, to 
put us to the trouble of defensive wars. We 
have territory enough of our own ; and if we 
wish for more, we can honestly purchase, (as 
we often have done,) rather than plunder. And 
a people wishing to improve and benefit the 
world, will be averse to every species of cruel 
and needless hostility and carnage. *' Blessed 



116 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

are the peacemakers^ for they shall be called the 
children of God." 

From my observation and experience, I am 
convinced that mankind need more influence 
to soften and humanize their feelings and na- 
tures, than is required to render them bold and 
martial. Some think otherwise, and I well 
recollect a distinguished instance : Soon after 
the organization of the American Peace Society, 
they addressed the late venerable President 
Adams^^ and solicited his patronage. That 
aged patriot seemed a little vexed, and in de- 
clining all participation in their movements, 
contended that in the present state of the world, 
loars were necessary, and that a martial, rather 
than a softened, pacific influence needed encour- 
agement. Experienced, enlightened, and ex- 
alted as he w^as, I believe that herein he erred. 
And all history shows the proneness of nations 
to war and carnage, while piety to God and 
love to man are often urged upon them in vain. 
For all intelligent men must be aware of the 
exciting and even fascinating character of war 
at a distance. How eagerly we read the ac- 
counts of splendid battles and victories! — the 
battles of Borodino, and Waterloo for instance ; 
and how anxious are the public now, to hear of 
some brilliant aflair in China ! Military array ' 
and the " trump of war " always have, and may 
long yet to come, draw forth the admiration of 
the world ! But after all it is serious business. 
The mangling and butchering of one neighbor 

* The elder Adams, 



L 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 117 

or friend, near home, carries alarm and distress 
to a whole village, or city ; but seventy thou- 
sand slain and mangled in a great battle, raises 
our admiration and even applause ! I pretend 
not to say that all wars are wrong, but I do 
contend, that many of them are ; and that like 
other painful and perilous remedies, great care, 
prudence, and skill should superintend their 
application and management. 



AMERICAN SLAVERY. 

On the subject oi slavery^ so deeply affecting 
the feelings, interests, and future prospects of 
our country, I hope to dwell for a few moments, 
in such an affectionate and cordial manner, as 
to gain the attention, if not the entire approba- 
tion of those who sustain and advocate it. That 
class w^ho, reckless of consequences, and igno- 
rant of many of the difficulties and obstacles in 
the way, clamor for immediate, unqualified 
emancipation or abolition, may exclaim *' Pro- 
slavery /" and turn away in disgust. But having 
in view a more important object than popular 
favor, or party and sectional sympathy and ap- 
plause, I shall exhibit my humble but sober 
views in relation to this momentous system, 
with my accustomed frankness. The remnant 
of slavery that existed in the northern and mid- 
dle states, was auspiciously abolished many 
years ago. The new states at the west have 
never admitted it within their territories. The 



118 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

southern and south-western states and territo- 
ries therefore alone are the participators and 
sufferers by the present system of American 
slavery, and with the people of those states, 
rests the solemn responsibility of its continu- 
ance. The other or non-slaveholding states are 
anxious for the ultimate abolition of this slavery, 
because they foresee great trouble and danger 
from its increase and perpetuity ; and consider 
it unjust and cruel. The slave-holding states 
having long had their labor and menial services 
performed by the people of color, for their sup- 
port merely ; and having invested a large por- 
tion of their property in the slaves, and viewing 
this obsequious and gratis help as convenient 
and indispensable, are of course inclined to ad- 
here to it with great zeal and unbending per- 
tinacity. Until the recent excitements, the 
statesmen and wise philosophers of those states 
looked upon it, and freely spoke of it as a great 
evil and lamentable state of things. And Ma- 
ryland, Virginia, and Kentucky began seriously 
to canvass the important question, whether it 
should be relinquished or not. Late events and 
mieasures, whether judicious or not, have alarm- 
ed and exasperated our southern brethren on 
this great subject, and they now reprobate every 
movement having in view the emancipation of 
their slaves. Believing that this emancipation 
must eventually take place, and that gradually 
and not immediately, and that our southern 
brethren will be gainers by it, and the Union 
and the world rejoice at it, I offer a few sugges- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 119 

tions and observations upon the subject, which 
I hope may be properly appreciated. 

To irritate and arr^ravate an individual or 
people, incensed, jealous of our views, and in- 
tensely sensitive on the subject in hand, is not 
only uncivil and unkind, but impolitic and even 
tortious. In law, violence and assaults are 
much softened and palliated, when it appears 
in defence that they were influenced or caused 
by unnecessary and gross provocation ; and li- 
bellous publications are severely punished, on 
the ground that they may lead to violence and 
breaches of the peace. Is it surprising then, 
that a rash and reckless course of declamation 
and denunciation, carried into the very heart 
and focus of this heated sensibility and jealousy, 
should have provoked detestation and violence ? 
As a general rule, where occasional violence 
bursts out among our citizens, there is a want 
of prudence on each side, as the supremacy 
and expediency of the laws enacted by our will 
and consent, are generally known and respected, 
and cases rarely occur where they suffer outrage 
and violence among our congregated citizens, 
without some excuse or provocation. 

These remarks are not designed as a justifi- 
cation o[ lynch or mob law, but to give the true 
character of many scenes of domestic violence, 
and to urge all necessary prudence and precau- 
tion against their re-occurrence. 

After these preliminary remarks, I will pro- 
ceed to state what is the real state of slavery, 
and the probable consequences and fate of it. 



120 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

We find that there is abroad, not only in 
Europe, but in this country, a deep feeling and 
even excitement on this subject. The firm and 
noble stand taken by Great Britain and the 
United States, in declaring the commerce in 
human flesh, piracy^ has perhaps led to this 
sensibilit}^ on the subject, more than all other 
causes. The protracted and able discussion of 
the affair of slavery in England, and the final 
emancipation of their slaves in the West Indies, 
have awakened much interest in this country 
in favor of abolishing the slave system and 
practice here. And the happy effects of eman- 
cipation upon the happiness and prosperity of 
those islands, (if nothing should there occur to 
mar the present prospect,) must have a power- 
ful influence upon the people generally, and 
even slave-holders in the United States. 

But it cannot be denied that the obstacles in 
the way of liberating the slaves are greater here 
than they were in England. There the slaves 
were less numerous, and the subject was per- 
fectly under the control of the government — 
to say nothing of the greater facility there in 
remunerating the slave-holders. Therefore all 
must perceive the propriety of great caution 
and wisdom in every measure in this country 
for liberating the slaves, as nothing can here 
be done, but through the agency of reason and 
persuasion. The states Vv^here slavery exists, 
have the sole authority and cognizance over the 
subject, and are at present utiitedly opposed to 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 121 

the experiment, and what they consider the 
great sacrifice^ of abolition. 

Long and established habits and customs 
among a people, however strange or cruel, can 
best be varied or eradicated by enlisting their 
kind feelings and reason on the side of the 
wished-for reform. This process requires honest 
zeal and firm perseverance. The civilized and 
christian world will never lose sight of this 
business of slavery, till a remedy is provided. 
But I trust that the remedial process may be a 
prudent and patient one, not a rash and deadly 
experiment that might injure the slave and con- 
vulse the country, ilnd may we not rationally 
hope that the guidance and blessing of Heaven 
may prepare this enlightened and free people 
for the merciful and timely removal of this na- 
tional malady and reproach, so dear to their 
better feelings, and so necessary to their future 
w^elfare and safety ? This, peacefully and prop- 
erly effected, and the altered feelings and pros- 
pects at the south, would in all probability be 
so cheering as to astonish themselves. Happy 
and grateful millions of willing, affectionate la- 
borers w^ould allay every alarm, and give to 
business and enterprise a new impulse. Lands 
and real estate would rapidly increase in value 
and demand. Useful and industrious emigrants 
from the free states would mingle with, and aid 
them with their industry and enterprise. Their 
old, tired, and unwieldy plantations would be 
divided and improved, lessening the cumber- 
some and unprofitable toil, labor, and responsi- 
11 



122 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

bility of the planter, by a less expanded, and 
more improved system of agriculture. 

The colored population would be enlightened 
and elevated, and would feel a pleasant and 
lively interest in the welfare of the country 
that should generously set them free, and would 
support themselves by laboring reasonably for 
the agricultural and business proprietors, and 
in cultivating such little lots as their own in- 
dustry, and the benevolence of the wealthy 
might yield them. Marriage, love of home, 
order, and self-respect would be encouraged, 
and the causes and inducements which now 
lead to shameless amalgamation and beastly 
prostitution would cease ; and the white and 
colored classes would mutually benefit each 
other, so peculiarly convenient in those warm 
regions, where the colored race are better adapt- 
ed to bear the heat and burden of the day. 

And let our southern brethren calmly and 
wisely look into this matter, and be not alarmed 
or irritated at the voice of friendship and truth ; 
for in the end, sweet are the counsels of friend- 
ship and charity, and great is the truth which 
must prevail. '* E Plurihus TJnum " is inscrib- 
ed on our national banner. Yes, the Union, 
one great and happy republic, must be cherish- 
ed and cemented, improved and preserved by 
love, kindness, and reciprocal magnanimous 
sacrifices, efforts and energies. The thrilling 
recollections associated with the names and 
lives of the Washingtons, Jeffersons, Madisons, 
Henrys, and Pinkneys of the south, awaken in 



TPxIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 123 

our minds the liveliest emotions of admiration 
and national sympathy.^ 

And the remembrance of southern valor, and 
devotion to liberty and the Union, is an encour- 
aging pledge and guaranty for the future wel- 
fare and glory of our country, amidst the changes 
and difficulties of present and future time. 

If the principles and ameliorating, enlighten- 
ing influences of our own Government, and the 
progress of liberal and republican feeling and 
improvement in the world, shall call for a rad- 
ical change in this momentous concern, will not 
our southern brethren meet it with magnanim- 
ity, and in the cheering spirit of hope and trust, 
with christian kindness and untiring patriotism? 
Our fancied ills and temporary sacrifices are 
often exaggerated by anticipation, and some- 
times prove ** blessings in disguise." 

And it would not be strange, should the eman- 
cipation of the slaves thus auspiciously disap- 
point your fears. Bred up in the atmosphere 
of slavery, inheriting this encumbered estate 
from your ancestors and fathers, who were un- 
conscious of its baneful and disastrous effect, 
without any personal agency in its introduction, 
you may naturally view it through a false or 
interested medium, and not be duly aware of 

*In respect to the present fee]in;?in the southern states, it appears 
remarkable that three among their greatest and most celebrated 
statesmen and patriots should have left their unqualified veto against 
slavery. Virginia^ distinguished for patriotism and counsel, and 
leading-sister, I had almost said nursing-mother, of the south, gave 
birth to those men. Yes, her Washington, Jefferson, and Henry, 
thougli dead, still speak in a manner never to be forgotten in America, 
and that ought to soften the rigid ])olicy and feelings of our southern 
brethren in respect to this lamented system. 



124 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

its real bearing upon year own habits, welfare 
and character, or upon the rights and happiness 
of the colored people. 

During- the long and animated discussion of 
slave emancipation in Great Britain, the same 
feelings and apprehensions were experienced, 
encountered, and finally overcome. 

Colonial slavery, sanctioned by law and 
habit, was in like manner interwoven with their 
convenience and supposed interest, and they 
were prepared to meet the great experiment of 
emancipation with all the disappointment and 
dread now felt at the south. And although 
slavery had long been exiled from the Island of 
Great Britain, still much of slave capital and 
interest was owned and controlled there. But 
by degrees the voice of love and wisdom, and 
the feelings of benevolence and humanity gen- 
tly prepared the way, and triumphed over every 
opposing obstacle, to the general joy and satis- 
faction of the people, and the civilized world. 

The effect of so ponderous and extended a 
state of slavery, among other unhappy results, 
will materially injure the southern population, 
and retard their prosperity and improvement. 
As an enemy, I might advocate the continuance 
of this system, as one calculated to weaken and 
embarrass them ; but as a friend and national 
brother, I take different ground, and warn them. 
Any people bred up under such a system, even 
if it was connected with no danger and alarm, 
would deteriorate under a long course of it. I 
never doubted that the northern people would 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 125 

become worse and more cruel under it than the 
southern ; because their climate, hard and rug- 
ged country and habits, and almost necessity 
for constant labor and effort, would render them 
more avaricious and hard masters. Many 
warm-hearted, hospitable southerners are kind 
and generous ; but the general effect of exemp- 
tion from labor and active business as to them- 
selves, and of an unrestrained authority and 
tyranny over their slaves, must incline to arro- 
gance, hauteur, and rashness, as well as effem- 
inacy and weakness ; while the colored, labor- 
ing class, if properly provided for, bearing the 
heat and burden of the day, will, like the Is- 
raelites in Egypt, increase in strength and 
numbers. 

Viewing the subject in this light, and acquit- 
ting the southern people of much of that sin 
and responsibility so lavishly charged upon 
them, and considering this slavery as fixed upon 
them in a great measure by circumstances, and 
by others more culpable than themselves, and 
so interwoven with their convenience, habits, 
interests and imaginary safety and necessities, 
that they startle at the thought of its relinquish- 
ment, we come to the grand question, What 
can he done 1 

The difficulty of the case has already been 
suggested. It lies in the deep-rooted, chronic 
character of the malady, and shows the great 
danger of neglecting diseases in their early and 
manageable state. Had slavery in the south 
been abolished seventy-five years ago, as it 
IP 



126 TRIBUTE TO MY COU^^TRY. 

might have been with perfect convenience, 
what a garden of improvement and delightful 
industry and prosperity would now have adorn- 
ed and blessed it ! And now this national mal- 
ady has affected and endangered our whole 
system. No common nostrum, or rude, rash 
empiric can cure or extract it. Such applica- 
tions may inflame and aggravate the case, and 
hasten a disastrous crisis. It requires the ablest 
and wisest, as well as most prudent manage- 
ment. A statesman and political physician, like 
Washington, is needed. A radical change of 
habits and regimen is an indispensable pre- 
requisite. The southerners consider the slavery 
among them rather as a misfortune than a sin, 
and suppose that poverty and degradation, if 
not butchery and extermination, w^ould accom- 
pany its abolition. And they view the attempts 
to destroy it as aimed at their destruction, and 
they feel and act accordingly. Undeceive them, 
my countrymen, on this point. Treat them as 
you would wish to be treated in like condition. 
Follow not rash and inexperienced, irresponsi- 
ble counsellors and leaders in this business, but 
our Solomons and Sampsons in wisdom and ex- 
perience. Great and important changes and 
revolutions in the habits and business of states 
cannot be done in a day. Prejudices are to be 
eradicated, and light and conviction carried 
home to the understanding and conscience. 
And both parties should learn this lesson. The 

understandin2:s and hearts of reformers ouofht 

... . ® 

to be enlightened and disciplined in order to 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY, 127 

produce a just and salutary result. Perhaps an 
occasional convention near the dividing line, 
where the most able and experienced from each 
section may consult or advise ; or a mild and 
judicious remonstrance addressed to the legisla- 
tures or people of the south, might be useful. 

Go to the head fountains, if you wish to purify 
the streams. Disdain and avoid all tampering 
with the slaves, and every movement calculated 
to annoy or alarm them. But perhaps after all 
the evil must remain and increase, till the slave 
population become so alarmingly restless and 
formidable, that a change or remedy shall be 
anxiously sought by the holders themselves. 
And then perhaps our colonies in Africa may 
receive a part. Another portion may have a 
territory assigned them at the southwest. And 
the remainder be retained with competent rights 
and privileges in the present slave states, and 
employed to the mutual convenience and benefit 
of each. Or, such success may attend the cause 
of general emancipation that the full experi- 
ment may go into operation. As to amalgama- 
tion, I have no faith in it, nor wish to see it. 
But little of this has ever appeared out of the 
tropical regions, in the United States, or other 
places, where the blacks are not enslaved. 

But whatever may be the course adopted, 
whether the colored people are enslaved or set 
free, I call upon my countrymen to extend to 
them a reasonable moral and religious educa- 
tion. Even slavery connected with rough and 



128 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

brutish ignorance is doubly wretched and dan- 
gerous. 

In speculating or experimenting upon this 
subject, we are beset with obstacles and diffi- 
culties. Able politicians and statesmen are 
embarrassed. No man of fine feelings and en- 
lightened mind, standing aloof from interested 
motives, can look upon it with sensations un- 
mingled with regret, and without wishing for 
its peaceful removal. But for what great pur- 
pose it has been suffered by Providence, and 
in some of the fairest portions of the earth, we 
know not. Whether to check our national 
pride and presumption ; to render millions of 
the degraded Africans more comfortable, useful 
and civilized, by transplanting them here, than 
they w^ould have been in pagan Africa ; or 
whether to predispose and prepare the guilty 
nations in the traffic of human flesh ; and the 
Africans thus removed to those nations, to roll 
back their population improved and enlighten- 
ed, upon those benighted and abused regions ; 
all is alike unknown to every finite mind. The 
benign or awfully calamitous result of these 
events is registered on high, among the deep 
things of heaven, to be developed to man, as 
infinite wisdom and mercy shall dictate. And 
it well becomes us to look for guidance and aid 
in this great business to the omniscient Disposer 
of all events. I will here add an extract from 
an address delivered in 1837, on the coloniza- 
tion enterprise, as pertinent here : 

'* The society organized many years since, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY 129 

establishing a colony in Western Africa, of free 
persons of color, and such emancipated slaves as 
wished to settle there, was for a long tirae de- 
servedly popular. It was, and still is patronized 
by many of the most respectable and philan- 
thropic citizens of our country. But latterly it 
has been opposed by the ardent advocates of 
emancipation as inefficient and delusive, and as 
calculated rather to perpetuate, than to mitigate 
and limit the prevalence and continuance of 
slavery in our republic. 

'* Whatever mistaken notions were entertained 
in relation to this measure, as a full remedy for 
the evils of American slavery, or whether it 
might in some degree gratify the slave-holding 
states, by removing a portion of troublesome 
free colored persons, still it held forth the pro- 
ject of final emancipation, to the people of these 
states, and caused the citizens seriously to re- 
flect upon the subject. And while it offered 
ways and means for many colored persons to 
establish themselves in business, and enjoy the 
rights and privileges of freemen, a noble and 
magnificent object, well worthy of the Ameri- 
can character, formed a leading part of the de- 
sign — no less than to carry by its instrumen- 
tality, the blessings of civilization and religion 
through the dark and degraded regions of Af- 
rica. 

*' The colony at Cape Good Hope was effecting 
something, and also the one at Sierra Leone ; 
and for one I rejoice that my countrymen have 
engaged in this work, and thus far so happily 



130 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 



succeeded. If the civilized nations would gen- 
erally follow up this benevolent and glorious 
plan, the blessings of civilization, liberty and 
Christianity would soon be extended over that 
insulted and wretched quarter of the earth, and 
the brutal slave dealer would no more dare to 
approach its borders, than he does the shores 
of England or America; nay, more — Africa 
would take her stand among the enlightened 
nations of the earth, and her descendants de- 
light to flock to her regenerated regions. Oh ! 
tell me, ye lovers of liberty and glory, would it 
not be cheering to behold the nations that have 
plundered her of so many of her children, thus 
paying up the debt so justly her due ? 

*' And why should the friend of emancipation 
oppose such a project ? True, it may not effect 
an immediate removal of our entire slave sys- 
tem ; and I ask them to lay down a plan or 
course that will, in the present state of things ; 
and one not pregnant with serious alarm and 
danger to the domestic peace and safety of the 
Union ! If the Liberian anti-slavery colony shall 
not eradicate slavery in our land, it may do much 
towards drying up the very fountains of all 
the foreign slave trade." 

I would treat all engaged in the work of soft- 
ening or abolishing American slavery, with 
candor and courtesy, and wish them all de- 
sirable success. But my apprehensions, whether 
imaginary or real, picture to my view, as the 
consequences of rash and bold measures, ex- 
cited sanguinary parties ; a united, determined, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUr^TRY. 131 

desperate scnUh', a divided and jarring Twrth^ 
with weakened influence annong the non-slave- 
holding States, and a loss of all fair influence 
with the others ; the former courtesy, sympathy 
and good feeling between the differing sections, 
especially on this subject, turned into distrust 
and bitterness ; the slave sufl^ering by the change, 
and bound closer and more harshly treated, 
and the end, severance or violence I 

May these fears prove imaginary, and such 
results never here be realized ! May a spirit of 
forbearance and charity be cherished, and a no- 
ble zeal and love for our country, lead us safely 
through all these agitating scenes I 

In the introduction of slavery, we have all 
(that is, the different sections) been in fault, in 
common with the nations of Europe : let us then 
forgive something in others. And say not of our 
brethren of the south, '' that these Galileans are 
sinners above all the Galileans, because they 
suffer such things." And while we commend 
ourselves, the slave, and the slave-holder, all to 
the guidance and keeping of Heaven, an ulti- 
mate way will be opened perhaps in a manner 
we cannot now foresee or comprehend, for a 
happy deliverance. Though the waters of the 
deep Atlantic may not, like those of the Red sea, 
be driven back for the oppressed to pass through 
on dry land ; yet the hearts of their proprietors 
may be touched by the spirit of God, and a 
chastened people may unitedly plant them in 
Goshen, and heal all their afflictions. 



132 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

I will close this already too lengthy dis- 
sertation, by briefly presenting two views of the 
south, both of which may be seen by many 
Americans now living. 

Suppose a state or condition, where the nu- 
merous and extensive plantations shall deterior- 
ate in fruitfulness, and need a vigilant recruit- 
ing regimen ; where the colored population shall 
far outnumber the white portion ; where from 
their indispensable familiarity with scenes and 
ideas of liberty and free institutions in this and 
adjacent lands, they may become extremely 
restive and desperate, under their hopeless ser- 
vitude ; and the chance for marketing an an- 
nual production of five times the number, which 
shall be removed, shall be closed, or nearly 
closed ; and of course, the number of unser- 
viceable ones shall be enormous, and hourly in- 
creasing ; and where from all these circumstan- 
ces, new additions of useful citizens shall become 
more spare from the scanty removals to the sec- 
tion and increased emigrations from it ; and the 
numbers of such, and value of slaves and estate 
shall be greatly declining', while enterprise, 
public improvements, and advancing increase 
and prosperity shall gladden and invigorate the 
other parts of this highly favored land. 

Suppose, for the next view, a condition shall 
arise where this unwieldly colored population 
shall be educated and improved ; and by remov- 
ing their despair and desperation, all alarm or 
motive to violence shall be removed, and gra- 
titude and lively interest in the welfare of the 



TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 133 

country, and an emulation for reputation, pa- 
tronage and employment among this population, 
shall every where prevail through the means 
of a moral and religious education, and the 
hope or enjoyment of their freedom. When 
this state of things shall invite additions to the 
stable and*ndustrious population, and diminish 
the motives for leaving the section, an in- 
crease of business and industry, agricultural 
and mechanical ; an improvement and advance 
in the value of estate ; the appearance of active 
villages, and even manufactories, increasing 
your markets and means of employment, shall 
all be realized, and more attention to various 
p^'oductions, and less reliance on a few staples, 
diminishing the ponderous plantations, through 
sales, divisions, and improved culture and man- 
agement. The colored population supporting 
themselves cheerfully on little lots and daily 
labors for the planters and business-men ; aided 
by a good system of pauper laws and regula- 
tions, somewhat resembling many in New Eng- 
land, where farms and superintendents are 
provided, where the very poorest and most shift- 
less can be employed according to their power 
and capacity-, and decently and humanely pro- 
vided for, at trifling public expense. An in- 
creased taste, fondness and emulation for actual 
labor and business, pervading the region, highly 
beneficial to the order, happiness and moral and 
physical energies and welfare of the people. 
Schools and seminaries of useful learning rising 
up in all directions, and the sabbath day and 
12 



134 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

public worship more respected and well attended 
to ; when all these shall he fully realized, and con- 
vert the wild region into a smiling garden. Are 
either of these views mere fiction and fancy ? 
Let those most deeply interested and conversant 
with the state and prospect of the south, answer 
and decide. 



TEMPERANCE. 

This subject has been already alluded to in 
this volume, and engrossing, as it does, the most 
earnest and serious attention of the moral and 
christian world, little more need to be here add- 
ed in relation to it. So long and untiringly have 
been urged upon this enlightened people the pre- 
cious and healing effectsof the temperance cause, 
that scarce a decent man in community is a 
stranger to the subject, or that has not been 
warned and admonished asrainst the debasins: 
and ruinous nature and influence of intemper- 
ance. Any person who has lived so long as to 
recollect the state of things, and habits and cus- 
toms of our people, before the wonderful refor- 
mation of the present century, must realize the 
wonderful change, and rejoice in the rapid pro- 
gress of this temperance reform. 

Some lingering and rather halting opposition 
to this great moral and temperance reform, may 
still be found in the most favored and enlight- 
ened parts of our country. But a great victory 
has been won, and the best hopps are now 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 135 

cherished in the final complete triumph of this 
momentous and successful moral and benevo- 
lent enterprise. 

Nor is this movement confined to our own 
rescued borders; but Europe and other parts 
of the world are rallying on the side of temper- 
ance. Father Matthew, in Ireland and through 
Great Britain, has taken a stand in the cause, 
with almost super-human influence and success. 
More than a million of the Irish people have 
already enlisted in the cause, and generally ad- 
here to their pledge with honorable fidelity ; 
and the great example is operating auspiciously 
among the Irish population here and in other 
nations. And Kev. Eobert Baird, an American 
citizen, is happily engaged in spreading the 
triumphs of temperance, as well as of the cross, 
in Russia, Sweden, and other parts of Europe. 
A bow of promise indeed appears on the reced- 
ing clouds and darkness of intemperance, that 
betokens the future safety of the world. Listen 
to the following efilision of the sentimental muse : 

Of glorious temperance and virtue sing, 
Sweetly persuasive, teaching, chastening Muse! 
And raise the bold and touching admonition, 
To stay the whelming torrent of corruption, 
So ominous and deadly to the land. 
Let man in time look round and dare to act, 
Form high resolves, nor let his faltering heart 
Once shrink or startle at the enterprise. 
So dear to all the loveliest views of life : 
Resist temptation ; shun the drunkard' s cup ! 
Nor let the poisonous fluid longer taint, 
The physical and moral powers of man. 
Enough its ruins past, and hated crimes, 



136 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

And miserieSj madness, wretchedness and wo ! 
O free American*! ! be free indeed. 
Dare not invoke the wrath of your Creator ; 
Nor dare to immolate your prospects fair, 
Your happiness and peace, your precious souls, 
At black intemperance's gloomy shrine. 
Be wise in time, and heed the voice of love, 
And wisdom's tender call, so kindly urged. 
Shun ! shun the awful vortex e'er it draws 
Your dearest hopes and souls to black perdition, 
With hapless wreck of ail your country's glory ! 

Say, fathers, patriots ! shall this fell destroyer 
Blast all the fruits your valor planted here ; 
Make equal laws and liberty a curse, 
And one vile bedlam of our ransomed land .^ 
Say ye, our legislators placed at helm. 
Watchmen and rjuardians on the walls of state, 
Shall not this maddening tide of liquid fire, 
And poisoned, murd'rous appetite, be stayed ! 

Divine Creator ! who alone can work 
Beyond all hindrance, may not this cup pass by, 
And leave our land undrown'd and undestroy'd ? 
Or must it, like the world in ancient time. 
Sink 'neath th' raging flood, while JS^oalis voice 
Was raised in vain among the sons of men. 
Against their lustful appetites and sins ! 

Forbid, O Heaven ! such wreck ol'this fair west, 
And shield these millions from impending ruin ! 
And may my feeble hand and heart unite. 
In one kind effort to befriend my countrj^. 
And warn her sons to shun the threatened doom. 
We know the curse that blasts a nation's hopes 
is not at random sent; 't is not dark chance, 
That gives the judgment or the moral right, 
But cold ingratitude for blessings given, 
And mad misuse of bounties richly strewed. 
These call the chastening frown dowm from the skies, 
With private agony and public ruin. 
Nor can the golden wreath of all the Indies, 
Nor all the products ot the western vales, 
Nor all the valor of our chivalrous sons. 
Nor the best form of government and laws, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 137 

Atone for suicidal moral treason ; 

For rash presumption and corruption's reign ! 

Then to the rescue, let the aged ranks 

And cheerful youthful groups in concert fly. 

And soon the Angel of reform and peace, 

Shall speed his healing course, and bless the world. 

The reformed Drunkard" s Soliloquy; or the old song of 
Oweuy parodied. (Written twenty years ago.) 

In folly's giddy circles, I long did pass ray life, 

And scorned the daily chidings of Mary and my wife, 

Who told me dissipation would wear my health away, 

rum ! why doth thou drink it, why madly dost thou 
stray ! 

But still I hissed their chiding, and still 1 flushed my face, 
With tipler's paint, brisk toddy, and still pursued my race ; 

1 ply'd my cups at business, and ply'd them more at play, 

rum ! why did I drink thee, why madly did I stray ! 

1 fancied I was greater than Caesar at his height, 
And fancied I could conquer e'en Scipio in the fight. 
When flushed with spirits rashly, I blustered all the day, 

rum ! why did I drink thee, why madly did I stray I 

Then I was next dejected as low as ocean's bed, 

And sadly racked with tortures from ancle to my head. 

1 rav'd, I 1 wept too, and thus consumed the day, 

O rum ! why did I drink thee, why madly did I stray ! 

At length I found my health gone, my glory fled and 

o'er. 
My partners dead and scattered, my friends were friends 

no more ; 
The world appeared a desert, without one friendly ray, 

rum ! why did 1 drink thee, why madly did 1 stray ! 

But reason bade me courage, she took me by the hand, 
And kindly deigned to lead me from foll^^'s vicious band ; 

1 changed my course of life, and ever since that day, 

O rum 1 I have forsaken thee, and madly ceased to stray. 

12* 



138 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

It would seem almost needless at this stage 
of the temperance enterprise, to enter at all into 
details of the existing evils of intemperance. 
Every man, woman, and intelligent child are 
familiar with them. And while the author de- 
precates all that imprudence and ultraism which 
he fears has in some instances proved injurious ; 
such as denouncing the careful moderate use of 
wine and spirits, as the worst kind of intemper- 
ance, and insisting upon excluding even the mo- 
derate use o[ cider in the temperance pledge ; 
still the general object is so glorious and meri- 
torious, that he sacrifices all minor considera- 
tions for the general good. And it appears 
strange to his mind, that any considerate parent 
or patriot can read and reflect upon the repeated 
accounts and pictures of butchered wives and 
children, of ruined, sacrificed 3'^outh, of weekly 
convicts before the courts in our country, and 
that ponderous and expensive pauperism which 
are every where to be seen and realized, as the 
wTetched fruits of intemperance ; and not bestow 
his aid and patronage to this good course. 
And it is indeed lamentable to every friend of 
man, to behold the degradation and misery 
brought upon the human family, by this habit, 
both physically and mentally. The peace and 
welfare of so many brilliant men utterly de- 
stroyed, with character and honor degraded, 
health and faculties prostrated ; their whole 
arterial, nervous and fibrous system deranged 
and tremulously jarring; and from that delicate 
sympathy and structure by which the body and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 139 

mind act upon each other, the senses, emotions 
and passions, and all the attributes of intellect 
running to variance and disorder. Reason per- 
turbed and deserting her post ; imagination 
alarmed, wayward and wandering ; conscience 
seared and unfaithful ; judgment weakened and 
unstable ; memory drowsy, and destitute of me- 
thod and tension ; and the whole mental family, 
once so harmonious, plunged into chaos, and 
anguish and despair taking possession, and 
leading the unhappy subject into all error, 
wretchedness and crime ! 

EDUCATION, 

And the vast importance of attendinsr to general habits and 
tliingSj seasonably. 

All sound statesmen among us, admit that 
our liberties and institutions chiefly depend upon 
a due regard and support of learning, and moral 
and reliofious education. Without the lio-ht and 
correcting influence of the arts and sciences, 
miserable and degraded will be the condition 
of any people ; mentally impotent and credulous, 
they will sink into all kinds of folly and super- 
stition ; and, wholly unable to understand and 
manage the complicated concerns of regular 
government and law, they soon fall under des- 
potism and oppression. A deficiency in one of 
these pillars of libert}^-, order and law among 
the mass of the people, has probably produced 
the downfall of many nations and governments, 
and much of the misery and disorder in the 



140 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

world. A very ignorant and unenlightened 
people are easily deceived and led astray, by 
the more shrewd and daring among them. 
Hence the massacres for conscience' sake, and 
religious and political intolerance and persecu- 
tion. Hence all the miserable idolatry in the 
world, and sorcery, and witchcraft, &c. 

The limits assigned to this little volume pre- 
clude any particular dissertation under this head ; 
and had the author leisure or room, he feels utter- 
ly incompetent to the task. It would require the 
attention of a mind and head abler and more 
experienced than his; yet there are certain as- 
pects apparent on this head, that may be briefly 
adverted to. The want of a well-established 
system of common and primary education, and 
of settled standard works, has ever appeared to 
me, as injuriously affecting the means of edu- 
cation. The field seems to be so expanded, and 
the authors and books so numerous and variant, 
as to create a degree of confusion and incongruity. 
Although it is impossible to secure to the cause 
and system of education and instruction, a per- 
fectly unexceptionable course, and to avoid 
many errors and difficulties, yet something may 
be effected by honest efforts at improvement ; 
and the great national and individual benefit 
resulting from the general diffusion of know- 
ledge, will atone for a multitude of imperfec- 
tions and partial evils. 

Through this general and cheap process of 
education, as well in our numerous primary 
schools and academies, as our colleges and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUraEY. 141 

higher seminaries ; a great mass of enterprise 
and talent in every section of this republic is 
brought into useful and honorable employment. 
But for this, how many brilliant minds would 
droop in discouragement and obscurity ; and we 
should more fully realize the beautiful stanza of 
Gray : 

'^ Full many a gem of purest ray serene, 

The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear ; 
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, 
And waste its fragrance on the desert air." 

Had I designed to dwell more at large on this 
subject, I should the more readily limit my re- 
marks, on finding that the special attention of 
the learned and venerable Mr. Webster has 
been publicly directed to it, and most cheerfully 
cease to obtrude much of my speculation upon 
so difficult a topic. It is safer in the hands of 
Noah Webster, Esq. ; than whom, no man living 
has done more to aid the cause of American 
education. I wnll simply add, that our school- 
houses ought to be so arranged, as to afford the 
utmost convenience and comfort; warmth in 
winter, and fresh and healthful air in summer; 
and great care should be taken in the selection 
of judicious and sensible instructers, so that all 
petty and cruel tyranny as well as noisy con- 
fusion and insubordination may be put down, 
and a calm and respectable system of school 
government be every where substituted. In 
a recent public notice of Mr. Webster's remarks 
upon the improvement of common shools, I was 



142 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

gratified in reading the following observations, 
quoted from his reply : '* The multitude of ele- 
mentary books now used, and their increasing- 
numbers, distracting opinions, and multiplying 
diversities in orthography, pronunciation and 
modes of teaching, render more questionable 
the prospect of ever establishing uniformity in 
these particulars, and he hints, that by proper 
efforts, some points might be illustrated, which 
are by most persons misunderstood, and opinions 
united or reconciled which are now at variance." 
And he closes thus: " Many valuable alterations 
in the construction of school-houses, in modes of 
teaching, and in the government of schools, are 
now proposed ; but in my opinion, the most im- 
portant improvement yet to be made, is the 
introduction into schools, of correct class-books." 
For instance, in the art of writing, or learning 
and fixing a hand-writing, so called, so variant 
and incongruous is the hand-writing of copies 
set before the learners for imitation, one flour- 
ishing in one way, and another altogether dif- 
ferent, that but few, comparatively speaking, 
acquire a regular and fair hand ; nearly all our 
youth, even in the most rural and agricultural 
regions, learn to scribble, while but few write 
fair and legibly. Now I have noticed in for- 
eigners, especially from England, that where 
they write at all, it is done more regularly ; and 
it strikes me, that were our youth at a proper 
age placed in a writing-school, and kept there 
for a sufficient time to learn and fix a good hand, 
it would somewhat regulate this disorder ; and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 143 

perhaps one other branch might at the same 
time be usefully attended to. This method 
might afford a salutary substitute for those itin- 
erant teachers who pretend to teach a good 
hand by the magical effect of a few lessons and 
a few days' attention, purchased generally at a 
dear rate. Pupils in this way might be taught 
how to make and hold a pen, and that is about 
as much as can reasonably be expected, and 
even that is not always acquired. All good 
judges know that in acquiring a good hand- 
writing, a due course of well-directed practice 
is indispensable. And if those skilled in the 
art would essentially benefit community, let 
them take classes for three months, rather 
than twelve days. We find something of a 
like difficulty in the different arts and sciences, 
such as grammar, arithmetic, geography, rhet- 
oric, &c. The prevalent fashion of a few days' 
application under some pretender, is producing 
a superficial and conceited taste. While sound 
and salutary improvements to aid and advance 
the cause of education should be encouraged, 
flimsy substitutes, theories, and injurious quack- 
ery should be avoided. I am well aware of the 
difficulty of remedying these things, among a 
people of general learning, emulation and en- 
terprise. Many authors, systems and theories 
will of course spring up, and gain supporters 
and admirers ; but by a sort of understanding 
and concert among the literati and teachers of 
the land, perhaps an improvement in this all- 
important department might be digested, and 



144 TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 

carried to some extent into practice ; and by 
which less confusion and expense in procuring 
and shifting so many school-books, and from 
such variant systems, might be experienced. 
And although in cases where learning pervades 
all ranks and ages, much of it must be superfi- 
cial and flimsy ; yet this general prevalence of 
a taste for, and participation in literature, is on 
the whole much preferable to a limited, and 
even more finished and perfect abridged state 
of it. The grand object must be to regulate it 
as far as practicable, and guard against vicious 
and destructive principles and influences, 
through our wide-spread field of instruction. 

The practice more especially in vogue a few 
years since, in many seminaries, and still ad- 
hered to in some instances, and somewhat prev- 
alent in our Sabbath schools, of overloading the 
memories and tender minds of youth wuth an 
almost infinity of mere answ^ers to minute and 
often trivial questions in relation to general 
science, branch or subject on hand, has ever 
appeared to me as objectionable. AxiA. the pub- 
lic exhibitions or examinations of the pupils 
often presented a tedious, uninteresting, and in 
a great degree unimproving series of questions 
and answers, while the young mind was so 
pressed with the^various ideas and ramifications 
of the subject, and so wearied with the dull ex- 
ercise and continual effort necessary to learn 
and retain the answers, as to disrelish or detest 
the whole business, and find himself unable to 
analyze or fix in his mind any definite or useful 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 145 

ideas or views of the subject under investiga- 
tion, or to retain any considerable portion of the 
matter thus promiscuously crowded upon his 
memory. 

This process might be corrected by direct- 
ing the mind to the more radical and impor- 
tant parts, and leading it into a more full and 
practical understanding of them ; and I am 
glad to see an improvement in these matters. 
Less minutias, with more attention to the sub- 
ject matter and practical use and nature of the 
sciences and branches taught, will best promote 
the great object of education, and of course, 
public utility and improvement ; and I verily be- 
lieve that more lasting benefit would accrue to 
the cause of biblical knowledge, by laying aside 
quite a portion of the minutiae, and riveting more 
firmly in the mind the great practical doctrines 
and duties held forth in the Bible. 

Another idea occurs to me in relation to the 
higher literary seminaries and courses of edu- 
cation. It is in regard to the health and con- 
stitutions of students. I feel wholly incompe- 
tent to decide whether the present mode of con- 
fining them so long and closely to the classics, 
(so termed,) and to the dead languages in par- 
ticular, is beneficial or not, as a general course. 
A thorough knowledge of the symmetry and 
philosophy of language, as an index and pass- 
port to the various professions and practical du- 
ties of life and business, and also as a medium 
of intercourse between nations of different lan- 
guages, is in this way acquired, and may be 
13 



146 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

urged in its defence ; but I well know that 
many ardent, ambitious, and capable young 
men have sacrificed their health and constitu- 
tion by too close attention to reading and study. 
Now while it may require the customary course 
of years to infuse into the minds of a great por- 
tion a necessary and useful knowledge, in other 
cases it can be done in half the time ; and while 
the more dull and less excited student in the 
one instance would not be injured, the other 
acute and sensitive one might often ruin his 
constitution. Were it possible so to graduate 
the course of study as to give to each the proper 
literary improvement by a course adapted to the 
talent and constitution of the pupil, in some 
cases shortening the period of assiduous atten- 
tion and study, much valuable time might be 
saved, and many delicate constitutions preserv- 
ed ; and if less stress and intense study were 
given to mere language, it might favor this ob- 
ject. Perhaps the system of manual-labor in- 
stitutions has not been sufficiently tested, as 
the proper and well-arrano^ed means and facili- 
ties for such trials have hitherto been deficient. 
Lands, shops, tools, proper artists and superin- 
tendants, are all necessary for such experiments 
and institutions. And there is a distrust or 
prejudice prevailing against them, w^hich the 
feeble and limited attempts hitherto exerted in 
their favor have been calculated to increase. 
In theory, the scheme looks feasible and useful. 
How far experience will prove its practicability 
or utility, remains to be developed. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 147 

The advantages of mental culture and educa- 
tion are not confined to the leading seminaries, 
or even our g-eneral schools, or to the raising up 
a crowd of literar}^ men ; but are seen and real- 
ized in every department of human business and 
life, in the domestic circle, in the early youth- 
ful circle, in business, in amusements and recre- 
ations on the land and on the sea, in political 
struggles and revolutions, in religion and the 
worship of our God, in peace, and even in wan 
The correcting, enlightening, and salutary ef- 
fects of literature and improved civilization 
spread through all the scenes and business of 
life a cheering and healing influence, and in- 
culcate among men the indispensable necessity 
of government and order, and wholesome gen- 
eral laws ; and if rightly regulated and improv- 
ed, prepare and raise up vigilant and faithful 
sentinels and guardians to watch and defend 
the temple of liberty. 

The project most auspiciously commenced in 
some of our cities and largfe towns, of oro^anizinsr 
the schools in various classes under one general 
head or superintendant, with different grades, 
from the mere beginner to the classic course, 
preparatory for entering college, promises much 
for the cause of general useful learning among 
all conditions, especially the poor. Good houses 
and accom.modations, with suitable teachers, are 
furnished, and all expenses paid by the city or 
town, so that children may obtain an excellent 
education, and still rem.ain at home, under the 
paternal care and influence of the parents. 



14S TRIBUTE TO MY CODNTRY. 

These literary and rational exercises and av- 
ocations give employ and useful recreation to 
the ever busy and restless mind — an employ- 
ment at once grateful and improving. I say 
nothing against manual industry and strict 
economy; but mind is above matter — virtue 
and intellect above wealth. While economy, 
industry, and a thorough knowledge of labor 
and business are indispensable to the progress, 
support and welfare of mankind, and the busi- 
ness of this world, and ouo^ht to be commended 
and encouraged, still they ought to be so guard- 
ed and graduated as not to absorb every gen- 
erous, humane and pious feeling, or lead men 
into brutish insensibility, avarice and impiety. 
Men can every where be seen, living under the 
full sunshine of reliofion and civilization, whose 
narrow and sordid minds consider every cent 
expended, and every effort made in the cause 
of learning and pious moral education and im- 
provement, as a dead loss and sheer sacrifice ; 
and hence their families and children, unless 
providentially rescued and benefitted by others, 
grow up with all the roughness, ignorance, and 
unmanageable propensities and habits of hea- 
thenism, wretched and miserable in themselves, 
and often a curse to community, and their mis- 
guided and unfeeling parents. This spectacle 
is too common, even in the better parts of the 
civilized world. 

The happiness and welfare of community de- 
pend so much on a correct and nice state of 
moral feeling, and a consequent upright and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 149 

orderly method of business, and the prevalence 
of amiable deportment and manners, as to ren- 
der these topics worthy the earnest attention of 
all good men ; and these most essentially de- 
pend upon a well-ordered education, more es- 
pecially in early life. The present is an age 
of experiQ:ient, and in some respects ultraism, 
or the taking a high stand and adopting an ex- 
treme pressure in regard to certain real or sup- 
posed errors and habits, while perhaps the more 
ordinary failings and improprieties of youth and 
mankind generally, are for that reason too much 
neglected, or lost in the excitements or glare of 
these experiments and innovations. It is not 
the author's intention to damp the generous ar- 
dor of moral and general reform, or to check 
the numerous enterprises of the age, or to nar- 
row down the business or scientific efforts and 
emulation of the age, so as to diminish their 
powerful and salutary operations and influence 
upon the world ; but it is desirable and alto- 
gether proper and necessary that we cherish a 
just respect for approved, practical and steady 
republican habits and manners, and not sacrifice 
the humble and useful pursuits of life at the 
shrine of speculation, theory, or enterprise. 
And wisdom prescribes, that in lashing and 
banishing a few leading and pernicious habits, 
principles, and crimes, the numerous less ap- 
pallingj but insidious and besetting propensities 
and vicious habits of man, should meet all 
proper rebuke and correction. Some of the 
most disastrous convulsions and revolutions in 
13* 



150 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

the civilized world, have originated in a neglect, 
and perhaps contempt, in relation to the early- 
progress of what was supposed small begin- 
nings, or mere trifling errors and customs among 
the people ; on the same principle that loss of 
health and life itself have often followed the 
early neglect of trifling inj uries or indispositions. 
Despise not '* the day of small things," or *' the 
still small voice " of reason and experience. 
This ultraism breaks out in various ways. We 
find good men seriously contending that in 
christian and benevolent enterprises, it is not 
right to accept the offerings of infidels or in- 
difl^erent persons. 

Now really suppose we limit our means in 
all our concerns in this way, by repudiating all 
the aid, donations and assistance not off^ered or 
done in pure motives and strict faith, where 
would have been more than half of our churches, 
meeting-houses and public improvements of our 
country — nay, all of them ? And suppose our 
dwelling-houses were on fire, or our children 
drowning, should we refuse the generous aid of 
such help, or stop to inquire what their motives 
or faith were ? We should be benefitted by 
their good works, and leave their motives to be 
settled elsewhere. 

I will close this head by some observations 
on a few erroneous and assumed maxims and 
instances of exceptionable literary taste and 
habits. The popular but highly presumptuous 
pretended republican axiom, that " the voice of 
the people is the voice of God^'^^ is a bold and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 151 

impious assumption ; and the frequent and famil- 
iar application of divine attributes to ordinary 
and temporal emotions and things, and serious- 
ly introducinof and recocrnizinsr the strano^e and 
miserable ancient heathenish mythology, have 
escaped that just rebuke and criticism which 
they deserve from the enlightened literary 
world. 

All who have just conceptions of the attri- 
butes and character of God, will at once see the 
impropriety of thus trifling with them, and be 
led to realize how presumptuous, as well as pre- 
posterous or wicked it is, to pronounce " the 
voice of the people, the voice of God ; " to com- 
pare the major voice or vote of a party or com- 
munity, which is often a perverted, polluted, 
and discordant sound, to the infinitely pure and 
unerring declaration of Jehovah. I suppose 
that the motto v/as based by the ardent sup- 
porters of republican liberty, upon the authority 
and political sovereignty of the will of the peo- 
ple ; but it is impious to call it the voice of God. 
It is sometimes a very different voice. Again, 
the terms omni'potent^ infinite^ and celestial^ or 
heavenly^ are loosely and improperly interwoven 
with our common and familiar style, and ap- 
plied to ordinary temporal and trivial emotions 
and things. How frequently we read or write 
about the infinite pleasure or dissatisfaction of 
each other, and celestial, heavenly, and omnipo- 
tent objects and matters around us; things as 
far below the real objects of such qualities, as 
the earth and human things are below those 



lo2 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

that are eternal in the heavens. The phrase, 
omnipotence of truth is much better than the 
omnipotence of liberty, or any mere temporal 
fallible object. Care should be taken to call 
things by their right names, and render to dif- 
ferent objects what legitimately belongs to them. 
How far the study and early familiarity of 
the fabulous and miserable mythology of the 
Greeks and Eomans may be useful or perni- 
cious, is a moot question. I am satisfied that 
suitable antidotes or guards against their inju- 
rious effects upon the young mind ought to ac- 
company such studies by way of notes, or ju- 
dicious comments, showing clearly the folly and 
impiety of the system. Probably it may be said 
that no decent mind or person of the present 
age can view it otherwise ; but we see in other 
cases, how even more experienced persons are 
led into strange notions and sentiments, by 
means less imposing.* 

* Wljat sensible man could Iiave believed that Mormovism, or the 
paltry in)[)o.-ition of Jo.^eph Smith, in digizing up a piece of old metal 
with pretended mystical marks upon ii, and holding forth his transla- 
tion of them as a divine oracle, could have gained a solitary adheient 
in this enlightened country ? But see the parade and progress making 
by that reckless and blasphemous sect; and whether Smith (as is 
altogether probable,) first hid his mystical plate in the earth, or wheth- 
er it was really some old relic, accidently drop[)ed there, it matters 
nothing; for at any rate the notorious Smith must be a prophet^ and 
the plate an oracle, or idol; and he seems to copy Mahomet, by en- 
listing carnal weapons. The oracle and sword" go hand in hand. 
Most of these turbulent vagrants are led by speculation and curiosity ; 
but some are probably weak enough to give cre.ience to th«'ir leader's 
declarations and impositions. Such are to be pitied, and all ought to 
be punished. Two states have already been compelled to hunt them 
down ; and how long they will retain tlieir present location in Illinois 
is uncertain. They contend that whntever territory they covet, and 
squat down upnu, is theirs by heavenly descent or riglit. Perhaps 
they may find again, some flaws in their title. 

And an equally silly, though less violent and assuming sect sprang 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 153 

It is honorable to human nature, to record 
that there were some monitors among the youth, 
even in the age and regions where this heathen- 
ish system found the greatest patronage. 

Such men as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, 
even in that dark age, seemed to look deeper 
into the philosophy and nature of things, both 
intellectual and physical, than we could expect, 
from the poverty and almost absence of the 
means and opportunities under which they lived 
and taught. So ignorant and superstitious were 
the age and people, that Socrates, one of the 
most disinterested and virtuous of men, was ex- 
ecuted (after their manner,) for daring to teach 
the youth and citizens the falsity of their gross 
ideas of worship, and the folly of their fabulous 
and miserable mythology, and to expose and 
correct their lax and perverted system of morals. 
The idea of a great first cause, or sole and om- 
nipotent God, one who was pleased with virtue 
and goodness, and would punish the wicked, 
was too great and mysterious for their minds, 
and they deemed it a kind of outrage and blas- 
phemy to hold forth such strange notions, and 
to undervalue their hosts of gods and goddesses. 

up among us several years ago, calling themselves Pilgrims ; and 
many simple and credulous persons of both sexes were drawn away 
from all the duties, decencies and comforts of regular life and society, 
into wretchedness and pollution. They wandered to the west, and I 
believe are nearly extinct. 

The Shakers and Dorvillites were for a while a troublesome, noisy 
sect ; but the good sense of community finally in a great measure re- 
strained their wild vagaries, thou^'h the Shakers still exist in a more 
orderly and harmless character. Let all the friends of order, piety 
and enlightened civilization, be well on their guard against the per- 
severing inroads of the plotters of anarchy and misrule, and the de- 
luders and corrupters of mankind. 



154 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

But the early and feeble rays of moral light 
which emanated from the illy-educated, but 
-super-excellent minds of those and other ancient 
and virtuous philosophers, bursting through the 
mists and clouds of the most dense and horrid 
superstition and ignorance, by degrees enlight- 
ened and expanded the minds of men, and led 
to a more liberal exercise of their intellectual 
faculties, and a noble triumph of reason and 
improvement. And the tears and regrets of the 
deluded Athenians, as they reflected on their 
cruelty to Socrates, in some measure atoned for 
•their rashness and folly. 

In view of these things, and the effect of su- 
perstition and early impressions upon the tender, 
susceptible minds and consciences of youth, it 
clearly follows that due care ought to be taken 
in presenting to them, as literar}" authority or 
regimen, this fanciful and heathenish trumpery. 

Since my recollection, there was great defer- 
ence, and nearly veneration, paid by poets and 
other writers, to this m3^thology and its various 
deities. Jupiter, Mars, Minerva, &:c., as well 
as the ^^ sacred Muses," were hailed and ad- 
dressed with almost Grecian zeal and devotion. 
The change and reformation in that respect has 
been salutary, and I hope will be permanent ; 
And to render it so, youth and students must be 
shown fully and thoroughly, that the least at- 
tention and recognition of it is forced upon us 
by its being interwoven with the literary works 
and productions of ancient talent and genius, 
more especially with the most valuable and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 155 

splendid productions of Grecian and Eoman 
statesmen, historians, orators and poets. 



RELIGION. 

The Sahhath, Public Worship, and various subjects con," 
nected — The nature and influence of Papacy or Popery — 
Of Modern Perfectionism. — Some strictures upon the 
Doctrines of Election arid Predestination. — Brief re- 
marks upon Baptism, <^c. 

The importance of the Sabbath, as affording 
to mankind a weekly day of rest, and most fit 
and hallowed means for public worship, as well 
as family and domestic reflection and devotion, 
is admitted by most men, and by all who con- 
sider the great moral law as given by Heaven, 
and obligatory upon mankind. Some are dis- 
posed to cavil and oppose the institution, on the 
ground that it was a Jewish institution, and 
that the seventh day of the week was originally 
held as the Sabbath ; and a few others pretend 
that we ought to keep all the days as strictly as 
the Sabbath, or in other words, not keep it at 
all ; and still farther there are others, real slaves 
of mammon, so selfish and giddy as to trample 
upon every moral or divine institution or regu- 
lation that seems in the least to interfere with 
their idolatrous pursuit of w^orldly business and 
concerns. With them, man and beast must be 
robbed of that rest which their Maker assigned 
them, and w^hich they so much need, and God 
and the Saviour of the worship and adoration 
which they require ; and the holy Sabbath, the 



156 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

day of all others most sweet, lovely and im- 
proving, if properly observed, must be made a 
scene of confusion and profanation. How la- 
mentable that many are so superficial and stupid 
as to imagine that the pomp and parade, and 
constant heaping up of worldly property, are the 
only objects of pursuit, when a little more ra- 
tional examination and a moderate share of wis- 
dom would show them the folly and futility of 
such notions, and teach them that to use the 
perishable things and treasures of this world 
usefully and benevolently, and from principle 
and right feeling to cherish and promote re- 
ligion, morality, and the various wholesome 
and enlightening institutions, and cordially 
yield a helping hand in benefitting their fellow 
creatures and their country, is the way of duty, 
happiness and usefulness. 

Among the means to preserve and diffuse 
among the children of men, the blessings of 
the christian religion, is the institution of the 
Sabbath. And who ever doubts that the regu- 
lar Avell-attended and well-conducted Sabbath- 
day worship and preaching is the main pillar 
and means of religious influence and power in 
the world ? 

The various other means are rather parts and 
appendages. Extra means and measures, and 
more frequent meetings, may sometimes prove 
convenient and useful. The modern system of 
Sabhath schools^ with the publication and gen- 
eral spread of religious and standard w^orks, and 
books of eminent and devoted men, may all 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 157 

prove great auxiliaries in the cause ; and like- 
wise the sublime and benevolent enterprise of 
civilizing and converting the world, through the 
means of distributing the Bible, useful tracts, 
and reliofious lio^ht and facilities. 

While we venerate the cause of religion, and 
regard with gratitude and love, the holy Bible 
and blessed Sabbath, we would justly appre- 
ciate and forever cherish the cause of religious 
liberty and toleration. All good citizens here 
have reason to rejoice that in this republic they 
are based on a lasting and unshaken platform. 
Our constitution on this subject, sustains the 
sentiments and views of the enlightened prot- 
estant world. But this liberal feeling and poli- 
cy, while it guards us effectually from disastrous 
wreck on the Scylla of ecclesiastical persecu- 
tion and tyranny, must not lure and plunge us 
into the dreary whirlpool of impious Charyhdis, 
In avoiding bigotry, we must also avoid impiety 
and gloomy infidelity ; for pure and heavenly 
religion, however much abused by mankind, or 
assailed by those who hate or disrelish its sanc- 
tions and restraints, will ever remain co-eternal 
with its divine author, the friend and comforter 
of man, and the best defence and guaranty of 
civil government, intellectual improvement, and 
moral purity. 

The bold and powerful attempt under appa- 
rent favoring circumstances, against the chris- 
tian religion, concerted and prosecuted by the 
mighty intellect of Voltaire^ and the shrewd 
and popular Paine, all proved abortive, with 
14 



158 TRIBUTE TO MY COUiSTRY. 

every other direct attack upon it. The ** sword 
of the spirit," and the " shield of faith," are in- 
vulnerable to such attacks ; and we have the 
divine promise that this religion shall prevail. 
But for some great purpose, to us inscrutable, 
the wa\^s of righteousness and peace are some- 
times put in alarm, and seem nearly hedged 
up. The w^hole history of mankind, both an- 
cient and modern, is strikingly evincive of this 
truth. The scourges of war and persecution,, 
the wide-spread and deadly progress of infideli- 
ty and idolatry, wath all the dismal variety of 
sin, have often, alas, how often ! cast a dark and 
threatening cloud over the moral w^orld. Nor 
is the world yet relieved from them. Even the 
religion of our blessed Saviour and Eedeemer 
is still assailed and darkened among men, by 
wicked and unhallowed hands, by blind infatua- 
tion, cherished error, distortion, hypocrisy, and 
corrupt selfishness. It is often dishonored in 
view of the world, and more especially with the 
higher and intelligent classes, by its professed 
friends, incautiously and unintentionally by 
some, and through unsoundness, false zeal, and 
excess, by others. Even Peter denied his Lord 
and Master, and Judas betrayed him ! What 
a picture ! Is it strange, then, to see professors 
in these days w^andering, stumbling and falling ? 
An imprudent and impertinent manner of ad- 
dress by individuals, families, and public circles, 
(on the solemn subject of religion,) and this 
without a due regard to place, opportunity, and 
genuine kindness and discretion, in most cases 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 159 

disgust and offend those intended to be gained. 
It is not enough that we have a good cause and 
object in view, but we ought also to carry 
abroad good manners and sound discretion. Let 
it not be understood that I condemn a proper 
degree of zeal and earnest admonition being 
manifested in the Redeemer's cause. It is in- 
deed worthy of all honest zeal, and the noblest 
efforts of all good men and christians ; for Chris- 
tianity, aside from its tremendous bearing on 
our future welfare, is the pivot on which re- 
volves the cause of genuine civilization and 
improvement. But I disrelish *' zeal without 
knowledge," or unconnected with wisdom or 
discretion, without a due regard to decorum, 
and christian, cordial charity. How, but with 
aversion, will calm and honorable minds regard 
a clamorous zealot of pharisaical manners, and 
perhaps doubtful moral deportment in his deal- 
ings and contracts, so much more anxious about 
others than himself, as to exhibit himself, for a 
season, forward, dictatorial, and rhetorical, on 
all occasions and in all circles, and harsh and 
censorious in his denunciations and antipathies, 
and extremely rigid and set, on all dark, dis- 
puted and doctrinal points in religion. 

But here I press a few hints upon such honor- 
able and vexed minds, as may come in contact 
with such men. Be not deceived because others 
deceive themselves. Look candidly and thor- 
oughly into the matter and subject, however 
you may disrelish the person or manner ; and 
while you cast aw^ay the scum and the dross, 



160 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

lay np the ore and precious pearl, and press 
home to your bosoms the love, penitence and 
faith required by our Saviour, as *' an anchor 
to your soul." 

Do in this concern as in others. A spurious, 
or disagreeable pedantic declaimer on morals 
or literature, will not turn your feelings away 
from a love of virtue and the sciences. How- 
ever you may disrelish his manner or appear- 
ance, you still love and admire those heavenly 
virtues. Do so in this vastly important concern. 
Let not the defect in manners or wisdom in 
others, shade your own, or prejudice your high- 
est interest. All hollow-hearted professors, 
and all kinds of hypocrisy in religion, as well as 
open, light, and immoral deportment, are cal- 
culated not only to injure the cause of religion, 
but those who indulge in such courses, in the 
view and opinion of men. This is a common 
and general result. Men are very much mis- 
taken when, from mere selfish or popular views, 
they make pretences to piety, while their gen- 
eral conduct and life give the lie to such pro- 
fessions. Hypocrisy may sometimes give to 
one, for a time, an unmerited grade of favor 
among good men ; but wnth God, never. And 
with men, generally speaking, such ill-gotten 
favor is transient and fading. For men, how- 
ever they may feel and treat themselves^ are in- 
clined to respect sincerity and uprightness in 
others. Hypocrisy and vain pretences to piety 
or moral virtue, soon lose their flimsy covering, 
and leave the subject doubly deformed, as they 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 161 

are doubly hateful ; because to their real char- 
acter, which they wish to hide, is added false- 
hood and mockery. The cause of piety is 
brought into reproach often by such perversity 
of conduct, and also through the unworthy and 
volatile conduct of the lives of its thoughtless 
and unstable friends and advocates. Hence, 
professors are enjoined to ** let their light so 
shine before men, that they may see their good 
w^orks, and glorify their Father w^hich is in 
heaven." 

An eloquent, giddy young cleroryman once 
asked a shrewd and influential matron of his 
parish what she thought of his preaching. 
*' Why? dear Sir," said she, *' when I see and 
hear you in the pulpit, I feel as if I washed 
never to see you out of it ; and w^hen you are 
out of it, I wish never to see you there again." 
But there is another set of people, not very rare, 
and probably not more hypocritical than most 
men, whose incessant carping and fault-finding 
about others, and especially about religious pro- 
fessors, are irksome in the extreme. These over- 
w^ise and self-acquitted folks (among professors 
and non-professors) are generally audaciously 
censorious, and apparently exquisitely anxious in 
relation to others — very seldom about them- 
selves. Their prevailing dialect is something 
after this sort : '* Professors of religion ought to 
live more up to their profession." ^' Religion never 
can flourish, while professors are so proud and 
worldly and wicked." "I should think a great 
deal better of religion, if christians behaved as 
14* 



162 TRIBUTE TO MY COUJSTRY. 

they ought ; but they have so much division 
and enmity, and neglect their duty so much, 
that I can never think of joining the church." 
*' And our minister is so personal ; I wonder 
what set him to preach last Sunday in such a 
way about intemperance, and Sabbath-break- 
ing ! Ministers should let all such things 
alone." 

How often are we entertained by such a 
strain of wonderful rhetoric and candor I and it 
often proceeds from somewhat indifferent or 
hard characters, whose extreme anxiety and 
benevolence are so elevated as scarce ever to 
effect or reach themselves. Yet even these 
have their use ; for a wise man said that our 
enemies were our best friends ; reminding us 
by their ill-natured reproofs, of our errors and 
imperfections. 

The author will now briefly, though with 
hesitation and diffidence, touch upon a few sub- 
jects or classes which are somewhat connected 
with the important subject under consideration : 
namely, the papal or catholic system, modern 
perfectionism, election and moral agency, and 
baptism. He has not the vanity to suppose 
that he can throw any new light upon these 
subjects, or at all allay the spirit of dissension 
and controversy which has grown out of them; 
but trusting that a few frank and candid remarks 
upon each, may possibly do some good, he, per- 
adventure unwisely, submits a few reflections 
to his readers. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 163 



THE PAPAL, OR CATHOLIC SYSTEM. 

Under this head or division, my leading ob- 
ject is not to deal in acrimony or denunciation 
against the church of Rome and its adherents, 
nor to sound the tocsin of alarm at their pro- 
gress or plans ; but fairly and briefly to exhibit 
a view of their order and principles. Once this 
order might, with considerable propriety, have 
assumed the name or title of catholic ; but for 
centuries past, the assumption is an arrogant 
misnomer. In some of the former periods, this 
chiM'ch or order was distinguished for many 
learned and pious prelates and members, and a 
commanding and salutary influence in behalf of 
the christian religion, and seemed indeed a rock 
on which the cause of Christianity in some 
measure rested, amidst the violence and dark- 
ness of Gothic times. But as she became pow- 
erful, she became blinded and corrupt. And 
the original and exalted object of preserving and 
difli^using through the world the real light, liber- 
ty and purity of Christianity, seemed lost in the 
secular spirit of aggrandizement and dictation 
over the minds of men, and even the rulers and 
governments of other nations. And she sent 
forth her bulls and anathemas, sundering the 
ties and obligations of rulers and people, and 
often fomenting assassinations, civil commo- 
tions and war; and even assumed the preroga- 
tive of absolving and pardoning the sins of men, 
substituting in lieu of genuine faith, repentance, 



164 TRIBDTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

and practical godliness, their complicated and 
mystical sacraments and rites, and even b}^ pen- 
ance and purgatory process ; and through indul- 
gences and mass service, aided by fees and pecu- 
niary offerings, not only exercised a pretended 
power over the consciences and fate of men here, 
but after death. To these highly reprehensible 
practices and pretences, are added a kind of 
prohibition or denial to the laity, of the free and 
precious reading and examination of the Bible, 
and revelation of the divine will. These abuses 
and extravagant assumptions, and intermed- 
dling with secular concerns, paved the way for 
the great change and reformation. 

This propitious era of the reformation, like 
other radical revolutions in the long-established 
habits and feelings of community, especially 
those of a religious, or political cast, was effect- 
ed by great efforts, sacrifices, and even martyr- 
dom. But characters and instruments were 
provided by Providence to meet the crisis. 
Melancthon, Luther and Calvin, with other 
minor advocates of reform, appeared on the 
stage, and the work was accomplished. A 
protestant influence and phalanx arose, which, 
under Providence, chased away the mists and 
darkness which had long held the world in 
ecclesiastical degradation and slavery. 

This reformation has shed a brilliant halo of 
religious light and liberty over Europe, and the 
world. It has even illuminated and softened 
the atmosphere and very focus of popery itself; 
and all danger of a full renewal of that compli- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 165 

cated and deadly power of papal and ecclesias- 
tical usurpation and tyranny, once so dreaded 
and overwhelming, is forever at an end. The 
eyes of the world are opened, and the con- 
sciences of men set free and enlightened, and 
the protestant cause, religiously and politically 
speaking, is immutably established. 

In vain may the Jesuitical order be re-organ- 
ized, and commission her busy and determined 
emissaries ; in vain may effeminate and polluted 
Eome attempt again to control and tax the 
world, and to propagate her darkening and sel- 
fish schemes of ao:orandizement. She had bet- 
ter apply her resources and labors in enlighten- 
ing and exalting her own population, and re- 
lieving their own spiritual wants and barrenness. 
And while the emancipated protestant world 
are willing to extend to them, in common with 
all others, the right of conscience and religious 
freedom, they ought to learn that too much 
dogmatism, arrogance, and corruption on their 
part, must inevitably lead to new and effectual 
measures of defence. 

What is here said, is not to disparage the 
papal dynasty while kept within proper bounds, 
or to wound the feelings of the honest catholic. 
There are many such, and many learned and ex- 
cellent characters have adorned the papal See or 
church. And it is gratifying to know that many 
are now dissenting from the abuses of the order, 
and are shaking off' the trammels and tyranny 
that disgrace it and seal up the word of life to 
a needy community. Popish bishops and agents 



166 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

here begin to hesitate and pause, (as well 
they may,) in respect to the dogmas and author- 
ity of the mother church, and are disposed to 
open the scriptures to all classes of people. 
Besides the degrading effect of thus excluding 
the people from the privilege of examining and 
judging of the sacred writings ; the very pre- 
^text for this exclusion is a libel upon the under- 
standing and capacities of the laity and common 
people. Nor in alhiding to the intolerance and 
bloody persecutions of former days, and the 
present anti-persecuting spirit and corrected 
feeling in protestant regions, does the author 
forget, or excuse, or palliate the cruel persecu- 
tions of protestants themselves, that succeeded 
the dawning of the reformation in England, 
Scotland, and other countries. These cruel and 
unnatural persecutions by which dissenters suf- 
fered violence and even martyrdom, have dis- 
graced that age, and darkened the page of 
history, and ought to excite the blush of shame 
on the cheek of every one connected with those 
nations. Oh! that every vestige of those infat- 
uations and barbarous persecutions could be 
expunged from the pages of British and Ameri- 
can history, and that the world might never 
again be tarnished with kindred atrocities ! 
But it is possible, that the view of these by- 
gone heart-rending scenes and inhuman perse- 
cutions, held up in bold relief through the historic 
page, may prove a beacon and solemn warning 
to all future ages. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 167 



PERFECTIONISM AND PRESUMPTION. 

In denouncing these things, I intend no re- 
flection upon that notion ofperfectionism among 
a portion of the methodists and other christians, 
which is supposed to be attainable through prac- 
tical and devoted striving, through humble peni- 
tence and divine grace, which seems to be 
required, and which yields the humble yet full 
assurance of salvation. But I refer to the sys- 
tem attempted in modern days, to be set up by 
certain ultra perfectionists, inculcating the belief 
and theory, that a person just indoctrinated, is 
at once and easily made religiously perfect, and 
needs not the aids and helps of christian ordi- 
nances and means, sabbaths, &:c. I know some 
conspicuous ones of this class (gaining more or 
less proselytes in this, I fear, demoralizing and 
anti-pious system,) who claim to be above all 
the ordinary christian means of improvement, 
and stand in open opposition to them ; and even 
pretending to be not only wholly sanctified, but 
a sort of prophets, or Elijahs, not to taste death, 
and the like. 

It is true, that God requires us to be perfect, 
and he requires and has always required man 
to keep his holy law, and there is no impossibil- 
ity in doing it, farther than our own unwil- 
lingness and sin. But God does not say to his 
fallen creatures, ye are perfect ; ye are in no 
need of restraints of watchfulness and prayer. 
And Paul and David and Job all exclaimed that 



168 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

they were vile. Are modern perfectionists more 
pure than those saints were ? Whenever per- 
fection is ascribed to mortals, it is done in a 
qualified sense. We need not look to Oberlin, 
or to the conduct and temper of assumed per- 
fectionists, to show us the unsoundness of the 
profession. Every man's heart and reason, if 
honest and enlightened, is sufficient. The per- 
fect pharisee told of his exclusive merit, while 
the humble self-convicted publican was accepted 
rather than he. 

Man is too much inclined to a spirit of pre- 
sumption and self-righteousness, without such 
creeds, theories and influences — such ceremoni- 
ous slighting and rejecting the requirements and 
directions in the scriptures, in relation to the 
sabbath and christian ordinances. Even honest 
christians, with all the wholesome aids and in- 
fluences of the best means, incline too much to 
Pharisaical and antinomian notions. Even the 
veriest orthodoxy sometimes bears that way. 
We see christians with theoretic views, and 
'* heads as trlear as a December night, and 
hearts as cold," firm and fixed in a dull formal 
faith, with practice inoperative and repulsive; 
they will converse soundly and intelligibly, and 
conduct circumspectly, but will often shut their 
hearts and pockets against the frailties and 
sympathies of our natures, poising themselves 
upon their self-established faith and goodness. 
Give me, with faith, sympathy for sinful man, 
tender hearts and active benevolence. 

One moment's true and humble self-examina- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 169 

tion ought for ever silence such presumptions ; 
and the good sense of the christian world and a 
kind providence have hitherto kept such notions 
and schemes in the back-ground, and probably 
will take proper care of the future. As light 
advances more and more, the omniscience of 
Jehovah, and the weakness and sinfulness (not 
perfection) of man, will be the more fully real- 
ized, and these notions will find but a vague and 
limited support. And I ask, what wholesome 
substitute for our precious sabbaths, instituted 
in mercy to both man and beast, for our required 
christian ordinances, is held forth ? What re- 
deeming benefits or prospects are in expectancy 
from these movements ? None ! 

But it is lamentably true, that any novel pro- 
ject, however crude or pernicious, will have ad- 
vocates amonof the descendants of fallen Adam. 



STRICTURES 
On Election J Predestination^ and Moral Agency. 

The excellency of the christian religion, is as 
manifest from its simplicity, purity and benevo- 
lence, as from its moral sublimity and awful 
sanctions. Any constructions therefore which 
darken it w^ith dubious or metaphysical distinc- 
tions — any perversions of its purity and perspi- 
cuity — any bold and philosophical assumptions 
by men, or inferences calculated to exhibit its 
divine author in a tyrannical, insincere or un- 
15 



170 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

just point of view, are hazardous and criminally 
presumptious experiments for man, and deroga- 
tory towards God. Should the few remarks 
here made from a sense of duty, prove offensive 
to any real lovers of truth and piety, it will 
wound my own feelings ; but believing that the 
scheme of election and predestination, as held 
forth by many, and urged as a necessary article 
of faith^ (for in practice it is more than use- 
less,) leads to pernicious consequences and con- 
clusions, I cannot pass over the subject in si- 
lence. Men are fond of embracing doctrines or 
notions of fate, and foreordination ; always, how- 
ever, with rare exceptions, appropriating to 
themselves the smooth and saving side, leading 
with wonderful facility to the doctrine of uni- 
versal salvation. For, by that doctrine, all, 
w^hatever may be their character in time, are 
fated for salvation, after death. Now hovv es- 
sentially different is the general result, whether 
each believer in election considers himself elect- 
ed, or whether the principle is adopted, that all, 
en masse, are saved or elected ? 

The whole argument (save what little au- 
thority may be found in the scriptures) on which 
the doctrine of predestination rests, is based 
upon nice and metaphysical views and distinc- 
tions respecting the divine attributes of God. 
An infinite and omnipotent being, it is urged, 
must foreknow, and arrange all things, and 
foreknowing, must of course foreordain, decree, 
or predestinate ; and hence, this theory or doc- 



i 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 171 

trine must be sound, however or wheresoever 
it may leave, or place the professions, the mer- 
cy, or justice, of that being. ^ 

It is generally admitted, that all things are 
possible w^ith God, however apparently impos- 
sible they may be to our finite and imperfect 
conceptions. 

But if it is above the power of Jehovah to in- 
stitute a free moral government, wherein his 
moral creatures can incur responsibility and 
blame, or his approbation and blessing, then 

* The results of metaphysical reasoning in religions matters, are 
sometimes extremely dangerous. Some years ago, I listened to a dis- 
course originating in this mysticism, and from a man, too, deemed 
sound and evangelical, wherein he maintained frankly, that God was 
not only ih^ direct author of all good and righteous feeling, hut of all 
evil and sin. He quoted Isaiah and other prophets, where God says, 
" I form the light, and create evil," and where he threatens to watch 
certain people for evil., and to frame evil against them — and also, from 
Job, " Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not 
receive ei;i/?" And in pioving the sovereignty of God. he went so far 
as to argue that it must be a consoling doctrine, that God did all these 
things according to his own sovereign and omniscient power and 
right. Never having realized the consolation that flows from charging 
my sins upon our Creator and Judge, 1 waive all comment upon that 
part. But in charity, I attribute his obnoxious theory, to a want of 
making the proper distinction between what is generally evil and sin. 
Death, famine and other providential chastisements, are often termed 
sore evils, but never sins. Yet such are the evils alluded to as 
above, in the prophetical writings. Such, though designed for hum- 
bling and correcting man, may properly be viewed as evils^ but not 
0.9 sins. God does not declare niiiieeJf the author of sin, nor permit 
us to charge him with its commission. " He is of purer eyes than to 
behold evil," that is, with approbation. Anfl when logicians get so 
confused as to resort to such means, it would be well to pause, and 
exclaim — " O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know- 
ledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past 
finding aut!^^ How uncalled for are such unprofitable reasonings.'* 
Is it not enough, that he is mighty to save arid righteous to punish, 
and to judge, according to the deeds done in the body ? Can it alle- 
viate the pangs of perdition or exalt the felicities of heaven? nay, 
more, cm it rationally afft'Ct our cundition here, by making or believ- 
ing the distinction, whether God did, from what we deem eternity, 
fix and predestinate all these things, or whether from his ample om- 
niscience and boundless mercy, he does all things, and rewards and 
punishesj as seemeth good in his sight ? 



172 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

and in that case, this doctrine in its fall extent 
must be acquiesced in. 

But dare we thus judge ? What limits shall 
we, short-sighted mortals, set to the powers and 
dealings of our Creator ? 

The declarations in scripture that our hea- 
venly Father is unwilling that any should per- 
ish, but would that all should repent and be 
saved, — and the numerous cases of his invita- 
tions to repent, to return, and receive pardon, — 
have always appeared to me, to be wholly in- 
consistent with a fixed purpose, rendering such 
things nugatory. 

That Jehovah, at any particular period in the 
past portions of time, should deliberate and fix 
a system, as to the final destiny of each soul, 
and all his moral volitions and progress, there- 
by becoming the author of sin, irrevocably pre- 
destinating and dooming a great part to de- 
struction, and some to eternal felicity ; and af- 
terwards should reveal his will and pleasure, 
holding forth to his intelligent creatures, his 
desire and command for their repentance, their 
faith and salvation, — and then punish such as 
were thus rejected, — being unable of course to 
thwart his purposes, — is beyond my compre- 
hension. And it is not satisfactory to be told, 
that under such a system, the mind is free, be- 
cause it is blind to such irrevocable destiny. 
If we m^ust believe in such purposes or decrees, 
we must believe that our moral agency is noth-; 
ing, and useless ; and this blindness is the sub- 
stance of the arguments to prove our moral 
agency, under such a system. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 173 

Nor does it appear to me enough for the 
character of God on earth, to say that he, being 
infinite in power and wisdom, and knowing all 
things, must have predestinated, suffered and 
fixed every scintilla of righteous and other feel- 
'ings and acts in his moral world; because this 
is not the stopping point in the doctrine and re- 
sults. Infinite power, wisdom and benevolence, 
might have done all this. I do not say it has, 
and believe that no man has a right so to say. 
But having done all this, is it right to suppose 
that such a Being would publish and hold out 
to all., the ability, by means of the grace and 
aids extended to them, — and by his earnest invi- 
tations and commands, impose upon them the 
duty, — to work out their salvation, through re- 
pentance and faith ! — when the performance of 
duty and the promised reward, must abrogate 
his purposes in regard to many, and finally, un- 
der such a state of things, firstly fix their inca- 
pability, and then slay forever the helpless vic- 
tims ? 

While I admit that there is revealed a cer- 
tain kind of election as to particular c^ses, and 
for certain important ends, I must repudiate the 
doctrine as above exposed. 

I can see no difficulties in viewing our Crea- 
tor, not as having from eternity, done every 
thing, morally speaking; but as now and ever 
doing his will and pleasure, restraining sin, and 
punishing it in his creatures, and upholding 
and rewarding piety and love. The one view 
leaves him nothing to do, since the primeval 
15* 



174 TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 

era of his decrees, except a mere self-complacen- 
cy; and of coarse, almost an unnecessary be- 
ing. The other, exhibits him in his own pro- 
fessed character, — a just, benevolent, adorable 
being. And it does appear to me, (if wrong I 
pray to be pardoned,) that the sweeping, and in 
the view of many honest christian minds, un- 
answerable arguments, that a wise and omnis- 
cient God would not leave the great concern of 
creation and grace at loose ends, but fix it un- 
alterably from eternity, is as defective and dark- 
ening, as all the others urged on the subject. 
What ! afraid to trust an ever-active, sleepless 
and omniscient Creator, to do always right, 
unless you have the guaranty of a long anti- 
dated decree or purpose from him ? Will not 
the Lord of all the earth do right ? 

Let us then, for it is impossible to meet or be 
satisfied on other ground, feel that our heavenly 
Father not only has done, but is doi7ig, and 
laill ever do, great things in heaven and on 
earth, both for the bodies and souls of his moral 
creatures ; that he holds out no deceptive prom- 
ises, or colors ; that w^hen he says, '' when a 
righteous man turneth away from his righteous* 
ness and committeth iniquity and dieth in them ; 
for his iniquity which he hath done shall he die ;" 
and again, " when the wicked man turneth away 
from his wickedness which he hath committed, 
and doeth that v/hich is lawful and right, he 
shall save his soul alive. Because he consid- 
ereth, and turneth away from all his transgres- 
sions he hath committed, he shall surely live, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 175 

he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, 
the way of the Lord is not equal. O house of 
Israel, are not my ways equal ? are not your 
ways unequal ? Therefore I will judge you, O 
house of Israel, every one according to his ways, 
saith the Lord God. Repent and turn yourselves 
from all your transgressions ; so iniquity shall 
not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your 
transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed, 
and make you a new heart, and a new spirit; 
for why will ye die, house of Israel ? For I 
have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, 
saith the Lord God ; wherefore turn yourselves 
and live ye :"^ and in other places, that he 
would that all men should repent and be saved ; 
he does not so say under a full view and pur- 
pose that a great portion of the very beings thus 
addressed, are fixed in hopeless perdition, by 
his own prior decree. 

ON BAPTISM. 

Different views of this rite, vnth some strictures on close 
communion^ or rejection of those baptized by sprinkling. 

This interesting and sacred christian rite, 
probably a substitute for circumcision, insti- 

* See Ezekiel, one of the major prophets. 

Special Note. — The author is aware, that sound and able divines 
and eminent writers differ n.aterially. as well as the christian world 
generally, on this point -, and that many construe the Bible as fully 
sustaining the doctrine of predestination in its full extent, however it 
may be disrelished by mankind : with such the author can differ with- 
out censure, or the least particle of disrespect. 



176 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

tuted by, and required by our Saviour, who was 
himself the subject of it, being baptized by John 
the Baptist, has, through the discordant notions 
of men, been made the subject of much unne- 
cessary controversy.^ The manner, and imme- 
diate effect of this sacrament, rather than the 
duty and necessity of the rite, have raised the 
controversy. The beautiful yet impressive sim- 
plicity and order of this sacred rite, cannot fail 
to strike everj^ sensible and devout mind. How 
interesting is the account of the case of the 
Ethiopian, a eunuch of great authority under 
Candace the queen, who had charge of all her 
treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship I 
Though he had been unacquainted with the 
gospel, yet he was led to read and converse 
w^ith Philip, who explained to him the character 
and offices of Christ, w^hereupon the Ethiopian 
said, >' See, here is water, what doth hinder me 
to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou be- 
lievest with all thine heart, thou mayest ; and 
he answered and said, I believe that Jesus 
Christ is the Son of God." He walked down 
to the water, was baptized, and went on his way 
rejoicing. So in the case of Lydia and Silas, 
and their households. 

This baptism by water, an emblem of cleans- 
ing, is admitted by all Christians, as a neces- 
sary rite ; but the precise manner, the proper 

* The learned and pious Dr. Watts, says : 

*' Abram believed the promised grace, and gave his son to God, 
B-ut water seals the blessing naw, that once was sealed with blood.** 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY, 177 

subjects of it, and the nature and effect of the 
mere cerenriony and ordinance, are made the 
occasion of dispute and controversy. 

The numerous denomination of baptists gen- 
erally contend that it ought not to be adminis- 
tered to children, or those not arrived to mature 
discretion. That it must be by immersion, and 
confined to believing adults ; and that it is 
viewed by them as a more absolute test and 
saving rite, and less symbolical, than it is by 
other denominations. Others are less pertina- 
cious as to the mode of baptism, believing that 
either immersion or sprinkling is proper. And 
they hold that it ever has been and may with 
propriety be administered to the children and 
household of adult believers. They contend 
that it was so done in the cases of Lydia, Cor- 
nelius and Silas, and their households. 

Now in all probability it might have been 
the more general practice by immersion, in the 
warm and temperate regions of Palestine. But 
even there that mode might have been impossi- 
ble in case of sickness and extreme debility; 
and would our Savior require a perilous cere- 
mony for such individuals, or one impracticable, 
for mere forra's sake ? And if we admit the 
early practice there to have been by going down 
into the water and by immersion therein, still 
we know not whether it was by total or partial 
immersion ; and as it is not the mere water 
that cleanses from sin, it is probably very un- 
important. Judging from the nature of the 
case, what can be gathered from scripture, and 



178 TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 

the character and views of our Saviour's pre- 
scribed duties and ordinances in other cases, re- 
lieving his disciples and followers from the 
harsh and torturing rites and ceremonies of the 
Jewish ritual; and substituting a plain, simple 
and convenient mode and manner, we may ra- 
tionally conclude that in baptism by the appli- 
cation of water, the mere manner, or quantum 
of the water, is not so consequential as the 
frame of mind and heart in which it is received ; 
and that no particular mode exposing the health 
and welfare of the subjects w^ould be required — 
unless we believe in the efficacy of the water 
itself. 

And the like simplicity and convenience is 
exhibited in the sacramental supper. How 
beautiful, familiar and appropriate ! How like 
the divine author ! ** And as they were eating, 
Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, 
and gave it to his disciples ;" and so of the cup, 
and gave thanks — using these articles com- 
mon at meals, as emblematical of his body 
slain, and his blood shed, for the sins of men. 
The bread showing forth his body, and the 
wine, from its color as well as fluidity, as a fit 
emblem of his blood. 

So in baptism, they went to the water and 
applied the element to the body as emblemati- 
cal of purification, in a manner most convenient 
and rational — a ceremony not only strikingly 
impressive, but one requiring no hard or diffi- 
cult preparation. Unless the mode of immer- 
sion in baptism should be deemed essential in 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 179 

keeping up a boundary or discrimination in the 
denomination, I can see no just cause for its 
being made the test of christian brotherhood, 
as all must be convinced that the mere element 
used, does not work the cure of the soul; but 
that the Spirit does the work, and the water is 
the symbol ; as in the other case, in reference 
to the bread and wine. 

On these points it has ever been surprising 
to me, that so much controversy should exist. 

As to the proper subjects of this ordinance, 
the baptists have more reason on their side, in 
my humble opinion. But if it is proved that 
the rite was administered to the households and 
children of believers in the days of our Saviour 
and his apostles, that question must be consid- 
ered as settled. Whether proved, or not, I pre- 
tend not to say. 

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS. 

On Discontent and leant of Resignation, under the dealings 
of Providence. — icith some remarks ujjon the prevalence, 
causes, and remedies of Hypochondriacal Affections and 
Habits. 

A very common and erroneous impression 
and habit, as to the attributes and dealings of 
Providence, produces much of the trouble, dis- 
content and repining among men, which are 
properly chargeable to themselves, and their ill 
regulated habits and feelings, and often fix in 
the mind the seeds of lasting and fatal hypo- 
chondria and delirium. I have already said 



180 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

something on this subject in my remarks upon 
habits and impressions ; but a few hints in re- 
lation to some prevalent habits and feelings as 
well touching the general nature and course of 
these things, as the more injurious cases de- 
nominated hypochondriacal, may be useful. 

Man is prone to repine, complain, and even 
to censure the providence and dealings of his 
Maker, in all cases where his own views, pros- 
pects, interests or sensibilities are thwarted or 
disturbed, however necessary such things may 
be for humbling and correcting his own way- 
ward feelings and inclinations. 

If the seasons or weather happen to be in- 
auspicious, how he murmurs and frets himself! 
Perhaps much of this is mere habit, with little 
intention to blame. But is not this kind of feel- 
ing hiofhly indecorous and irreverent to the au- 
thor and regulator of the universe ? Says one, 
*' What an intolerable cold and bad season we 
have ! " Another exclaims, '* This dry weather 
will destroy every thing ; 't will burn every 
thing up, and ruin our crops ! " *' I do n't see, 
(says another) as it it ever going to rain again ; 
nothing will grow — my hay and grain will 
come to nothing this year ; if rain comes now 
it will do no good ; it is too late ! " " This 
dreadful wet time w^ill spoil all the hay, (says 
another, as the sweet rains pour down to refresh 
the earth, and soak a few loads of his well-dried 
fodder;) I never saw such bad weather." 

And thus we might quote enough to fill a 
page. It would seem by the strictures and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 181 

complaints about the weather, that we seldom 
have a right kind of day or season ; when we 
all ought to realize that wet and cold and dry 
weather are all necessary and proper, and that 
these things are all and always right. Speak- 
ing on this subject, my son, after spending a 
season at St. Croix for the benefit of his health, 
told me that the people scarce ever made the 
climate or weather a subject of conversation. 
How different that from our New-England hab- 
its. A farmer in Massachusetts, having got a 
quantity of hay dried and ready for the barn a 
third time, a third shower approached as he was 
busy in securing it, but fortunately veered offand 
and dashed upon his neighbor's. Upon which 
he exclaimed with joy, '* Well, Providence has 
done right once ! " Eeally ! once done right ! 
Probably his aggrieved neighbor would even 
doubt this ! 

Enough has been said to show the habit and 
the folly of this dissatisfaction and fault-finding. 
And the like dissatisfaction and false clamor 
occurs on other occasions and subjects. In re- 
gard to our bad or hard fortune, and concerns 
in general, the like complaints and imputations 
are made. 

All can easily see how much more comfort 
and satisfaction we might realize, and how 
much more rational we should appear, by culti- 
vating a suitable temper and feeling, and by 
considering that the seasons and weather, as well 
as our trials and misfortunes, are always right, 
and regulated by infinite wisdom and mercy, 
16 



182 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

and that we are the party in wrong ; and that 
generally too, even in the ordinary cases of 
discouragement and dejection, or hypochondria. 
How lamentable, to see the opulent and exalted 
in point of privileges, repining under trivial or 
imaginary difficulties or losses, and perhaps 
rushing to self-destruction as a remedy, when a 
moment's correct reflection might remove the 
ill-timed distrust, and fill their hearts with 
gratitude, with love of life and duty, and a just 
sense of the abounding mercies and forbearance 
of God. But however lamentable the spectacle, 
this improper and wretched state of mind shows 
itself often in the various conditions of life, 
fruitful of trouble, wretchedness and despair, 
among the rich, those in mediocrity, and the 
ranks of poverty. 

Once a rich man in London, rushing to the 
bridge over the Thames, to take the fatal leap, 
met a poor, desponding candidate for suicide, 
near the fatal spot, and accidentally learnt his 
melancholy errand there, and the cause, which 
was the distressed and famishing state of his 
dear family. His heart was moved with real, 
practical pity, and he offered pecuniary aid. 
This kind deed saved his accidental guest, and 
restored his own disordered mind to soundness 
and joy. And active benevolence and sympa- 
thy have often proved the best remedy in such 
mental diseases. Then fiy, O ye subjects of 
hypochondria and imaa^inary distress, fly without 
delay to the needy and distressed, and pour 
into their bosoms the balm of consolation ; yield 
up cheerfully a little of that sordid trash, about 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 183 

which you may be so anxious ; or if poor your- 
selves, ply the feeling heart and helping hand 
to their aid and relief, and the cold-hearted de- 
mon of gloomy despair will take to himself 
wings and fly away, and the warm current of 
your renovated hearts may again animate and 
encourage you ! Action rather than contevipla- 
tion — practice x^ihex than theory^ are approved 
remedies in these maladies. 

I will subjoin a few extracts from a letter 
written to a nervous hypochondriac friend, some 
twenty-five years ago ; and also a beautiful sen- 
timent taken from Foster's 'Decision of Charac- 
ter,* as applicable to these cases. 

''August, 1813. 
** Dear : 

=^ =i^ * * *' You would find 

that a fixed and contented habit as to place and 
business, connected with certain practical habits 
and exercises of thought and action, would 
benefit your health and enhance your felicity. 
Such as taking a cordial part, interest and feel- 
ing in the affairs of the place, family and friends 
where you reside ; avoiding a severe, morose 
and gloomy spirit, or loading your mind with 
unprofitable and imaginary reflections on the 
dark side of life or fortune. Fonder less^ and 
act more. Build fewer airy castles, and your 
disappointments will be less. Entertain and 
cultivate a manly, resolute spirit and emulation 
to get along through bad as well as good for- 
tune, with good address and self-composure- 



184 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

Mingle generous and healthful exercise with 
your mental labors, &c. On such things more 
depends, in respect to health and success, than 
on wealth or office.'' 



^' Let them assure themselves that the eye of 
Omniscience is about their bed, and about their 
ways ; that he marks the gloomy countenance, 
the tone of impatience, the sigh of discontent, 
and will require an account of moments spent 
in fruitless regret^ or im'pious distrust^ which 
might have borne to heaven some tribute of 
praise, or token of meek submission." — Foster^s 
* Decision of Character,^ 



There is a dullness and torpor of mind, bor- 
dering on fatuity, which brilliant minds some- 
times experience, and which ought to be thrown 
off, with resolute decision, or it may gain 
strength through indulgence and habit, and 
paralyze every generous emotion and energy of 
the man. " Quietness (says a discriminating 
author) soothed his melancholy, but did not 
invigorate his heart." 



DOMESTIC ORDER, HARMONY AND IMPROVEMENT. 

The good, sober, industrious and charitable 
family circle, finds hoine a sort of earthly para- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY 185 

dise, and converts it into a scene of improve- 
ment as well as peace. The long- evenings of 
autumn and winter, with many other seasons, 
may be appropriated to useful study, mingled 
with business and all the pleasant duties and 
recreations incident to family life. As moral 
and religious light, with the steady progress of 
civil and religious liberty, shed their cheering" 
influences over the world, our fire-sides and do- 
mestic circles become more and more interest- 
ing, and are well calculated to improve the 
morals and hearts of mankind. 

That turbulence and dogmatic t3Tanny which 
so extensively prevailed in many parts of the 
partially civilized world, and which denied to 
the feebler members, wives, females and chil- 
dren, all rights and immunities, save what the 
occasional good-will or condescension of the 
master might in a freak of mercy bestow, ren- 
dering each family a sort of unrestrained and 
unlimited despotism, and often brutality, is 
passing away ; and now the rightful rule and 
influence of the man is sweetly blended with 
the rightful influence and management of the 
woman, thereby constituting the parties a joint 
head, council and government over the family; 
the relative rights and privileges of each being 
fairly understood, exercised, and secured, both 
by the popular feeling and laws of the land. 
And the narrow-minded man, who in these days 
disturbs and tramples upon this order, and cru- 
elly abuses the subordinate branches, would 
16^ 



186 TRIBUTE TO MV COUNTRY. 

find himself amenable to law and the ban of 
public opinion. 

How different this condition from the case of 
family relations and rights in savage and hea- 
thenish regions, where brute force, and the most 
deplorable oppression and wretchedness degrade 
and demoralize the domestic and more public 
walks of life I 

This softened and improved condition of our 
domestic circles promotes and cherishes the 
purest and loveliest affection and sympathy 
among the members, and consequently through 
the civilized world. In sickness and distress it 
wakes up the kindest feeling and attention. It 
excites a commendable emulation for the wel- 
fare, happiness and improvement of each mem- 
ber or branch of the family ; and a zeal for the 
good standing and reputation of all the family, 
among their neighbors and the citizens at large, 
each becoming the monitor and helper of the 
others, and where the baneful breath of intem- 
perance, and a mean selfish spirit, and a fond- 
ness for distracting and embarrassing extrava- 
gance and prodigality, can be kept away, so as 
not to mar these pleasant domestic scenes, they 
practically show forth the transforming and be- 
nign effects of our blessed religion, and the 
fruits of advanced civilization and liberty. 

Here, in our home, in our calm and affectionate 
family and domestic circle, are sown the seeds 
of social, moral and religious principle, and here 
their numerous and precious shoots and branch- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 187 

es are watched and cherished, regulating and 
adorning the civilized world with rich and de- 
lightful productions of moral and intellectual 
excellence and worth. Here also industry and 
economy dwell together in unity. Here sym- 
pathy and affection shed around balm and con- 
solation. All uniting their gentle and cheering 
agency in sustaining the duties, and softening 
the labors and cares of mankind. 

let us love and cherish these precious in- 
fluences and privileges, so dear to all that is 
good and lovely in society, business, and the 
world ! And while we behold with pain and 
alarm, the modern vulgar and brutish attempts 
and confederacies, among a certain class of wri- 
ters of both sexes, to draw our happy citizens 
and children away from purity, principle, and 
the salutary endearments and orderly habits 
and duties of life, into the vile sloughs of con- 
cubinage, pollution and wretchedness, let all 
sound and enlightened citizens stand firm in 
the cause of moral purity and our sacred religion. 

What can appear more suicidal and odious 
than a female advocate of licentiousness, at 
open war with modesty, moral purity, and reli- 
gion ? It always reminds one of the fluttering 
silly insect, or miller, dashing into the blaze of 
the candle or the lamp. 

In close, I will here jnsert by permission, the 
following lovely effusion of a dear female con- 
nexion, as descriptive of the tender sympath}^, 
pious resignation and heavenly trust, which 
adorns many a fire-side iti this, and other chris- 
tian lands. 



138 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

'^ Sisters, a change has come : 
Our fire-side circle is a broken one. 
Oars was a happy home. The joyful notes 
Of youth and love were echoed through its hulls — 
Bright were our suns, and gentle were our showers. 
Sorrow we had not tasted, though we knew, 
(For our dear mother early taught us this,) 
It was the lot of earth's inhabitants. 

*' Then came a change. 
We gathered round that mother's dying bed, 
Caught her last whisper, kissed her dying lips, 
And felt that we indeed were motherless ! 
O death, could'st thou not spare ? thy cruel dart 
How keenly barbed I But hush, rebellious heart, 
'T was but the kindly messenger of God, 
To bear her spirit to the realms of bliss. 

^' Anotlier sad, — sad change ! 
Our gentle eldest sister pined with grief; 
Joy, hope and buoyant spirits, fled away, 
With mental energy and reason's sway, 
And life seemed but a very weariness ! 
But w^hen at last she wings her upward way. 
And entrance is administered to her, 
To that fair city, of whose joys she sung, — 
How will neio reason, knowledge, glory, burst 
With light celestial on her uncaged soul ! 

'• Then came another change. 
Consumption laid his withering hand on one. 
Most gifted mid our happy fire-side band.* 
He roamed the fields of science with delight, 
Gathered her laurels round his youthful brow, 
Yet meekly laid them all at Jesus' feet. 
Pie longed to tell the w^orld a Saviour's love. 
To publish the glad news of peace to man. 
At length he sickened, and with haste he sought 
A sunnier clime, far on Savannah's stream ; 
But Heaven called him from his toil and pain, 

* James H. Elliot, who graduated at Washington College, (Hart- 
ford,) in 1836, and \v;is attacked with a pulmonary complaint about 
thnt lime. He pas=ed the following winter at St. Croix, in hopes of 
relief. And in the autumn of the following year, repaired to Savan- 
nah, and tarried in different parts of Georgia till Jiis death, in DecJ838. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 189 

To regions brighter, far beyond the skies. 
His work on earth was ended — and he died ! 
Died in a land of strangers, yet of friends ; 
Died far from home, yet with its comforts blest. 
West/ood not o'er him, yet there were, who smoothed 
Softly his pillow — cooled his aching brow ; 
And most of all, that Saviour, whom he loved, 
Was there, lighting the vale with beams divine. 
And bidding Jordan's waters not o'erflow 
His faithful ransomed spirit. — Ask we more.'' 

*' Still, still another change. 
One brief year had not passed, ere we were called 
Another o^ o\xv stricken band to yield, 
To the last resting place of man — the srave. 
He was our youngest brother, fondly love.d — 
Companion, friend, and ciierished counsellor. 

'' Sweetly in him did blend 
A childlike, simple spirit, with a mind 
Matured, refined, with knowledge and with grace. 
How oft he prayed, the mantle of the dead 
Might rest on him ! And tell me — did it not .? 
To God he consecrated all he had : 
Yes, on His altar freely laid himself. 
His worth 1 cannot speak, for even now 
The wound bleeds freshly that his loss has made; 
And time, that antidote for irrief like this, 
Has not yet sealed the fountain of my tears. 
Oh in our hearts as long as being lasts. 
We 'II treasure up the memory of his deeds, 
And love him still ' — 

How sweet to think his spirit, freed from sin, 
Wt»lcomed by Jesus to the courts above, 
Has joined those dear ones whom on earth he loved, 
And with them strikes the golden harps of praise ! 

" Sisters, our study be to meet them there. 

Live as the holy word of truth enjoins, 
And to make happy those God still has spared. 
And bless him for the dear ones he has given 
To glad our fire-side still with tones of love. 
Then, when a few more days have coursed away, 
And death to us shall come, we shall be found, 
Waiting the summons of our master. Lord, 
And join those dear ones never more to part." 



190 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 



AFFLICTION AND ADVERSITY. 

A few Hints ^ touching Human Afflictions, and tkeir appro- 
priate Design and Results. 

Affliction is thought to be a good school for 
imperfect, thoughtless, sinful mortals. '*The 
house of mourning is better than the house of 
feasting, for that is the end of all men, and the 
living will lay it to heart." David exclaimed, 
''Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but 
now have I kept thy word." And also, " It is 
good for me, that I have been afflicted." 

The most ordinary observer of mankind can 
bear witness, that prosperity is apt to mislead 
and corrupt, while adversity and affliction 
soften and correct the heart. The one fosters 
giddiness, and hardens the conscience ; the 
other gives it a tender and faithful character, 
or rather tends to auard and preserve its nice 
and precious sensibility and watchfulness. 

Among the instruments and means provided 
by our Creator, for reforming and correcting the 
hearts of men, and society in general, afflictions 
and adversity stand pre-eminent, and they are 
more or less prevalent, wherever man exists. 
They effect the most striking and salutary re- 
sults, even where the voice of reason, and other 
agencies and remedies fail. But few men can 
visit the abode of deep mourning and distress 
uh moved and unsoftened ; but many, too many, 
instantly shake off the chastening impression, 
on leaving it ; and some are even hardened by 



/ 

TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 191 

the scene. Even the subjects of sickness and 
misfortune occasionally become more callous, 
rather than benefitted by their effect ; but gene- 
rally speaking the result is corrective. 

I knew a man, amiable and moral, who, 
though habitually and sincerely respectful to- 
wards religion and moral reform, could never 
be persuaded to sympathize and join, as he 
ought, with his beloved and pious partner and 
children, till the heavy hand of affliction wrought 
the work. Nor was it the first or second cor- 
rection that prevailed. At length that partner 
on her death-bed kindly addressed him and the 
children, in view of the coming change, and at 
the close desired his prayers. A duty so unex- 
pectedly requested, although deeply affected, 
and disposed to do all in his power for her wel- 
fare and comfort, he felt utterly incapable of 
performing, and declined the attempt. 

This scene, and the failure to soothe and oblige 
his dying friend, sent an arrow to his heart and 
conscience, and he became a firm and consis- 
tent christian professor; and with anguish and 
tears exclaimed, if I could not pray loith my 
departing companion^ blessed he heaven, I now 
can. loith my spared and mourning children, 

*'That remedy for adversity," (says a most 
delightful and popular authoress, '*^) '* which 
neither the light of nature discovered, nor the 
pharmacopeia of time contained, of which phi- 
losophy both in its poetry and stoicism has 
failed, is contained in a single prescription of 

* Mrs. Sigourney, in her " Letters to Mothers." 



192 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

the gospel, the submission of our will to that 
which is divine.'''^ 



NATIONAL ORNAMENT AND PROFIT UNITED. 

The powerful effects of union and concert in 
the accomplishment of useful enterprises, is 
abundantly tested by observation and experi- 
ence. This union and co-operation, when en- 
listed in a good cause, carries with it an influ- 
ence and power almost irresistible, conquering 
and triumphing over the most discouraging 
and appalling obstacles. 

It is desirable that something be done to 
overcome that listless and narrow spirit which 
still too much prevails in regard to the really 
useful as well as ornamental improvements, in 
our favored countr}^ Many are so blind, selfish 
or stupid, as to view every labor and effort, not 
bringing an immediate tangible profit or per 
cent., as a dead loss ; no matter how ultimately 
useful, beautiful or healthful the improvement 
may be."^ How little of generous benevolence 
or patriotism is manifested by such selfish and 
contracted views and conduct ! 

Now, every land-owner in the country, New 
England especially, might in a few years have 
excellent apples and other fruit, and a pleasant 
and useful maple orchard, and ornamental trees 



* How different the noble feeling and conduct of the man who, 
while engaged in setting out some fruit trees, was told that he would 
never live to receive any benefit from them, and answered that if he 
knew he should die to-morrow, he should willingly set thera out! 



TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 193 

and shrubbery, all so pleasant and healthful, by 
a very little labor and willingness to trust a few 
years for the growth and profitable result of a 
little grafting and transplanting. Let three 
hundred thousand land-holders of the eastern 
and middle states spend a few idle days, in 
the Spring, for a year or two, in grafting a suit- 
able quantity of fruit trees, and setting out a 
pleasant sugar orchard conveniently near their 
dwellings, and a few others for health, shade 
and ornament. In a few years, they would 
become delightful to each tenement or farm, 
and add much to the beauty and value of the 
country. And strange as it may appear, the 
mere wood, in twenty years or less, would be 
worth forty-five millions of dollars, and the an- 
nual product of sugar from these sugar groves, 
would probably exceed seventy-five millions of 
pounds ! And the little labor and eflbrt re- 
quired could be done at a leisure season of the 
year. 

The agricultural parts of England are com- 
pared to a garden. How extensively profitable 
and delightful might ours be rendered, if every 
citizen would promptly, for himself, resolve to 
do his mite for the improvement of his country ! 
And thus an enlightened eflbrt and union 
would place our high-ways and roads in admi- 
rable order. Try it, my countrymen ; let every 
town and district begin to act thoroughly, by 
making a portion of their public high-ways in 
a proper manner, next Spring, and so proceed 
for a few years, instead of brushing it over 
17 



194 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

merely to do for the present^ and the result will 
be delightful. 

So, likewise, might every county have a fine 
and useful penitentiary, with a farm and shop 
for the employ and reform of noisome and ob- 
stinate inebriates and other proper objects, 
whereby society would be relieved, and most of 
the subjects be brought into good habits and 
saved from ruin. 

Legislators and good patriots should think 
especially of this last project, in a country so 
crowded with foreigners, as well as homebred 
subjects. Farming and trades might be taught 
the ignorant at these places, and many placed 
under good moral and religious influence. And 
this enterprise and union, if properly set in ope- 
ration, would soon beautify and enrich our lands 
and farms, and cheer and improve society. Let 
our farmers begin to cut and sell off, or depas- 
ture one half of their ill-fenced and ill-cultivated 
lands. Make compost and manure in their 
yards, by adding rich loam and mud from the 
swamps and low places to that accruing from 
their stock of cattle and swine, and put a few 
acres yearly in good rich condition, until their 
lands susceptible of improvement are made rich 
and productive. And see that their fences un- 
dergo a like thorough repair. And their smil- 
ing, well-guarded crops will reward them abun- 
dantly, for all their care and labors. 

And there is one other subject, which I deem 
important to my brethren of the fields and the 
hills. Among the broken, hilly regions of the 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 195 

Union, especially in Vermont, there is witness- 
ed a lamentable defect on most farms-, in pre- 
paring suitable ways along the rough and hilly 
parts, both for transporting wood and other pro- 
ductions, and travelling purposes. In a late 
tour, I noticed, on very many productive lots, no 
safe or convenient passages along the steep side 
hills for teams and passing, and in nearly all 
cases, observed that with a few days' labor and 
team work, a winding way or road might be 
easily made. I have recently moved on to such 
a hilly lot, where my predecessors had passed 
directly up at an ascent of twelve degrees. 
With a few hands I made a safe circuitous 
route, reducing the pitch to five degrees in the 
steepest place. 

More attention to good agricultural publica- 
tions and hints, and to useful practical improve- 
ments among our farming classes, would by de- 
grees vastly benefit their condition. No sensi- 
ble farmer need be assured, that a good breed 
of useful cattle, and swine, etc. can be kept as 
cheap as poor and miserable kinds ; and that 
excellent fruit and other productions require no 
more labor, care and expense, than bad kinds. 
Be persuaded then, ye patient, laboring sup- 
porters of mankind, of the importance of these 
things. 

As applicable to this chapter, I subjoin the 
following brief essay upon a love of literature 
and science, and the importance of encouraging 
and sustaining our religious^ civile and literary 
institutions. 



196 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 



" If we neglect our duty, and suffer our laws and institutions to go 
down, v/e give them up for ever." — Beecher. 

Nearly all intelligent men are professedly- 
agreed, that general and correct education is 
useful and necessary in the world. Most men 
will tell us, that this is the life and safety of 
our government and free institutions. Even in 
this common and too cold general sentiment, 
we cannot however include all — exceptions are 
seen. There are those, who envy and malign 
every vestige of literature and improvement. 
Bred up in prejudice and brutish ignorance, or 
sunk in debasing feelings, habits and crime, 
they naturally enter into hostility with every 
thing amiable and elegant, and all that is cal- 
culated to expose to public view their moral 
degradation and turpitude, or sinful and deadly 
career. 

It is not unusual or surprising to find such 
minds in bold opposition to an enlightened 
moral and religious education ; for its enlight- 
ening and happ3' influences never fail to inter- 
pose the most salutary and abiding obstacles to 
their horrid works of darkness and iniquity. 

The most incredulous will admit the truth of 
these remarks, and cannot but witness instances 
in real life of the baneful effects of such hostility 
and open hatred to every good work. 

The Catholic will zealously condemn the 
general perusal of the scriptures, because the 
moral and enlightening effects would interfere 
with his unhallowed gain and selfish influence 
and usurpations. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 197 

The beastly sensualist and druiiliard will rail 
at chastity, temperance and purity, because they 
rebuke his vulgarity and lusts. 

The votaries of vanity and extravagance^ are 
opposed to econon^y, simplicity and regular in- 
dustry, as virtues uncongenial with their reck- 
less, unprofitable character and habits. And 
the profane and hlasphemotis will ridicule such 
delicate and conscientious minds as shudder at 
breaking the commands of the moral and di- 
vine law. 

And thus we mioht pass on through the wide 
range of practical life and business ; but these 
few allusions are sufficient for the present pur- 
pose. 

This warfare unth enlightened purity and 
virtue is not kept up because the actors can 
believe themselves right, but in self-defence. 
They deride morality, religion and purity, be- 
cause their vicious and abominable courses are 
rebuked and checked by the influence and dig- 
nity of moral and religious lights and purity. 

With such opponents, our course is plain — 
it is a warfare. And let all who love the 
cause of liberty and moral improvement, be 
found on the side of truth and morality, w^ith 
their armor ever bright, and disciplined for ac- 
tion. 

But aside from such opponents to the best 

feelings and interests of the social compact, 

there are others, who unconsciously, and even 

unwillingly injure and discourage the progress 

of literature and moral light and improvement. 
17# 



198 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

This class embraces many of the young and 
many of the most enterprising citizens of our 
country. They cannot spare time and means, 
aside from their darling pleasures and business, 
to give to learning its due claims and support ; 
and they leave to others what ought to be done 
by themselves, thus imposing a double burden 
upon them, and retarding the progress of mor- 
al and literary improvement and education. 
This class have not sufficiently weighed the 
consequences and importance of the subject, and 
the injurious effects of their indifference. 

In addressing such characters, and the audi- 
ence generally, I will take two views of the sub- 
ject : firsts the importance and utility of our 
literary institutions and education ; and second^ 
our duty and the w^ay to sustain themx. 

By casting our eyes over the world, or by ex- 
amining the history and geography of nations, 
we may satisfy ourselves as to the condition of 
those w^here the arts and sciences, civilization, 
and the mild influence of religion, have been 
excluded. And is there one that w^e could en- 
dure as our home ? It is a mistake or delusion, 
to imagine that we should be wMser and better 
than other nations without these aids. Like a 
parlor, w^hich has long been lighted and w^armed 
by a good fire, it might remain more comforta- 
ble while the lingering heat and embers con- 
tinued ; but after a while (unless fresh fuel and 
means were applied) it would become as cold 
and cheerless as the one never illuminated or 
warmed. So with communities and nations. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUA'TliYc 199 

"Man is man." Education and culture makes 
the difference among men and nations. Even 
now, where a mass of the most ignorant and 
-credulous herd together, what sickening scenes 
are exhibited ! what fanaticism, degradation 
and wretchedness ! Laying out of view the dark 
regions and habitations of heathenism and cruel 
idolatry, the more favored parts of Christendom 
have been agitated by the DorviUiies, the mod- 
ern misnamed Pilgrims^ and the Mormonites, 
But for the genial rays of science and literature, 
the former reign of ghosts^ and witchcraft^ and 
bloody persecutions and massacres, would again 
pass over us, and our neighbors and friends 
would be sacrificed and destroyed, as in days 
that are past ; and female degradation and 
slavery, inquisitions and papal intolerance and 
oppression might prevail through the present 
enlightened portions of mankind. 

Think not, I conjure you, that these sugges- 
tions are the mere workings of fancy. They 
exhibit the situation and propensities of man, 
unenlightened and uninfluenced by moral, scien- 
tific and religious light. They afford a feeble 
view of the dark and barbarous wastes and 
miseries incidental to mental neglect and leth- 
argy. 

A single glance at the opposite picture of 
human nature will speak a volume in favor of 
our position, that the cause of genuine literature 
and moral improvement is the cause of individ- 
ual and public felicity, prosperity and safety. 
We do not mean that a superficial or pseudo 



200 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

attainment, that mere show and parade of 
science and improvement, is the remedy. That 
may produce pride, affectation and indolence. 
If the young are taught or led to imagine, that 
a few weeks spent in a public school or acade- 
my will place them above their fellows, and 
above the ordinary and useful occupations of 
life, and entitle them to the character of a su- 
perior order of beings, they may be injured 
rather than benefitted by the experiment. The 
most superficial in breeding and education, are 
the most in danger of such ridiculous propensi- 
ties. Their education should be practical and 
useful, and such as will restrain, rather than 
increase a narrow spirit of arrogance and self- 
conceit, and make them useful and benevolent, 
as well as interesting and intelligent. 

To relish properly the beauties of literature, 
and to profit by it, the mind should be trained 
and habituated to study and reflection — the 
taste must be improved, and the intellect en- 
lightened and enlarged. And discipline and 
habit must be-brought to bear upon us, and ren- 
der the studies, walks and objects of learning 
pleasant and useful. This, like other precious 
acquisitions, must cost us something. Nothing 
great or valuable comes unsought and untoiled 
for. He who would gain the summit of fame 
or glory, must labor and climb the hill of 
science with untiring perseverance. He must 
not expect the way to be all paved, and beset 
with flowers ; but the briars and annoyances 
incident to human scenes and life, must be met 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 201 

and surmounted. Let him not be discouraged, 
or faint and despair. 

The mere cant and flourish of learning is un- 
satisfactory and disgusting. Pope said : 

" A little learning' is a dangerous thinir ; 
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring." 

Experience, the soundest of all instructers and 
monitors, has long since settled the grand ques- 
tion of the utility of learning ; and it has been 
fully settled, that a taste for literature and the 
sciences extends and expands the means of so- 
cial intercourse and enjoyment, opening an ex- 
haustless source of pleasant and useful employ- 
ment for the ever-busy mind of man in various 
relations of life, and adds essentially to public, 
as vi^ell as private respectability and prosperity. 
The citizen whose mind has been improved by 
an enlightened education, can, in some measure, 
prepare himself for the various trials in life, and 
meet the difficulties and storms which beset 
himself and his country, to some practical pur- 
pose. Be it war, he can summon forth that 
moral courage and energy to meet the crisis, 
like a man and a patriot. Be it sickness or 
other providential calamity, he can calmly re- 
pose himself and his friends upon his Creator, 
and like a christian and neighbor, put forth his 
benevolence and well-directed assistance for the 
relief and welfare of community. Be it domes- 
tic tumult and violence, he is the better enabled 
with his counsels and labors, like Cornelius, 



202 TRIBUTE TO MY COUx\TRY. 

to hush and reconcile the angry and tempestu- 
ous passions of the populace. And so through 
the whole range of private and public obliga- 
tions and duties, the useful influences of learn- 
ing and wisdom 'may be traced by every ob- 
server. And they take a wide range, and 
spread through distant nations and people their 
mild and enlightening influence, in aid of 
civilization and moral worth. Not so with 
the reign of ignorance, superstition and indo- 
lence. Rudeness, treachery, cruelty and crime 
generally mark their gloomy career ; and 
low and uncomely is always the condition 
and moral standard of that class and people 
where mental and moral neglect and apathy 
prevail. 

Under this imperfect and hasty view of the 
subject, who can doubt that our interest, as 
well as duty, claim from our hands every rea- 
sonable effort in support of our literar}^ institu- 
tions, and the cause of education and improve- 
ment. The proper encouragement of these 
among mankind, cheer and improve all nations ; 
but in a country and under a government like 
ours, how indispensable are their benign and 
salutary influences ! Here, where '' laws, lib- 
erty, order " are our precious heritage and secu- 
. rity, what else can preserve and guaranty our 
rights and privileges ? What but general in- 
telligence and moral light and excellence can 
sustain our dearest liberties? — our laws, our 
peace, our religion, our citizens and children, 
our fire-sides and altars I Temporally speaking, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 203 

there are no other sure means of defence. So 
thought our exahed Washington, our Ames, 
our Jefferson, our Hamihon, and other great 
statesmen, patriots, and ardent friends to litera- 
ture and truth. 

Let no American then hesitate as to his duty 
and part in this business. While he may de- 
spise the pert literary fop and pretender to learn- 
ing and improvement, let him not '' too lightly 
esteem " the genuine and solid attributes of wis- 
dom and education, nor shun to foster and sus- 
tain them. 

They are alike allied to the happiness, secu- 
rity and glory of the country. All that is 
precic^us in history, is connected with them. 
Even Pharaoh's and Solomon's courts were not 
destitute of these precious appendages. The 
Phoenicians, the Greeks and Romans, were dis- 
tinguished for their love of letters and eloquence, 
as well as for their military prowess and fame. 
Genoa, Spain, and other nations, cherished with 
their commerce and navigation a spirit of en- 
terprise and a fondness for learning, and espec- 
ially for astronomy and geography. And mod- 
ern nations, rising and maturing from the dark- 
ness, ignorance and degradation which prevailed 
through the Gothic age, have strikingly shown 
what the arts and sciences, the love of literature, 
and the mild and holy influences of the christian 
religion can do to exalt and improve those 
favored regions, where a merciful Providence 
has permitted them to prevail. Cast your eyes 
upon Europe ; compare it with Africa, with 



204 TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 

Burmah, with Tartary, and even with Hindoos- 
tan and Turkey, and do you not behold a differ- 
ence, a wonderful difference ? If banished from ^ 
your happy and beloved country, to which would 
you fly ? to enlightened and improved Europe, 
or ignorant and wretched Africa or Asia ? But 
let me be still more particular. What but her 
literary and civil preeminence has raised the 
little island and kingdom of Great Britain to 
be, as it w^ere, the umpire of the world ? A 
little speck on the globe, perhaps about as large 
as New England, and five or six hundred miles 
farther north, in a cold region — this little group 
of islands stands, and has for ages stood, the 
most interesting and influential spot upon earth ! 
Her *' wooden walls " have been the wonder, 
admiration, and protection or annoyance of the 
world. Her manufactures and commerce have 
cherished a salutary and influential intercourse 
with the various nations of the earth. Her lit- L 
erature, morals and laws have softened, im- f 
proved and elevated the minds and condition of 
her own citizens, and also of other nations, and 
wrought a most astonishing revolution in the | 
aspect and character of mankind. India and 
the distant isles, through her instrumentality, 
have burst their bands of ignorance, superstition 
and slavery, and are rapidly improving in 
knowledge and business, and in their moral, 
political and religious condition. 

And our ow^n favored country, too, stands in 
view of an admiring world, the brightest mon- 
ument of modern or ancient prosperity, and 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 205 

rapid progress in every thing pertaining to im- 
provement, enterprise, and intellectual eminence 
and glory. Our government and free institu- 
tions are above all parallel or praise. Our ad- 
vancement in wealth, enterprise, and power 
has attracted the respect and commendation 
of all enlightened nations ; and nations will 
still more respect and applaud us, if, true to 
ourselves, we cherish and sustain our literary, 
moral and benevolent institutions as w^e ought. 
Let us do it — let us duly appreciate their vast 
importance and bearing upon our republic. 
Through them we have already had a Frank- 
lin, a Rittenhouse, a Washington — our Adams, 
our Jefferson, our Marshal, our Ames, our 
Dvvight, our Websters, and our Wirt, w^ith 
other statesmen, patriots, heroes, authors and 
artisans, too numerous to specify ; and our coun- 
try shares the rich inheritance of their fame, 
and labors of learning and wisdom. If then, 
such are the acknowledged fruits and results of 
our precious literary, civil and religious institu- 
tions — such the genial and legitimate conse- 
quences of a due cultivation and improvement 
of the moral powers of man, who can, after 
these views, be a drone in the vineyard of liter- 
ature and science ? Withhold not your sup- 
port, your care, your good wishes and fostering 
aid from such a cause. Do not, ye men of busi- 
ness and pleasure — ye sons of enterprise and 
wealth, say you cannot devote the time and 
attention, necessary for its encouragement and 
18 



206 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

support. Leave not the goodly labors for others 
less able, to bear alone the responsible trust. 

Do not say, or indulge the reflection, that no 
profit or benefit will result from your attention 
and patronage ; but from principle and love to the 
human family, support the wholesome schools, 
academies, colleges, and benevolent institutions 
of the country ; and you will realize in the 
highest interests of your country and the world, 
the most enduring and gratifying benefit and 
reward. Do not coldly concliide that it is need- 
less to aid a worthy young man in his educa- 
tion, lest he may abuse the gift — for perfection 
is not a plant of earth. 

Be not, in fine, careless or inattentive to any 
measure, which is clearly calculated to efl^ect 
the permanent welfare and substantial glory of 
our country ; for hereafter, the historic page, 
and rich productions of classic and intellectual 
effort and genius will alone point to the scenes 
and wonderful works of our day and generation. 
But let us do our duty^ and Heaven will turn it 
to good, and to our own felicity and welfare. 
Such is the order and providence of God, as 
connected with duty, piety and benevolence ; 
and these precious objects are well w^orthy the 
noblest efforts of every friend to man and moral 
excellence, in the world. 



ON BANKS AND BANKING. 

The mode of transacting commercial and 
other business, through the agency and means 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 207 

of banks of deposit and discount, etc. has long 
been practiced ; and in the opinion of most 
business men, the mode is useful, convenient 
and almost indispensable, in the present state 
of the world, and the commercial business of 
the age and country. 

In former days, when commerce and business 
was less expanded and very limited, it was 
managed without much dependence upon bank- 
ing means and facilities, and a specie or hard 
money medium was more manageable, than it 
would be in the present condition of the busi- 
ness-world. And although much excitement 
and disagreement has been manifested in the 
Union, for several years past, in relation to the 
banking system, and much hostility has been 
the result ; yet this opposition seems rather to 
the mode and manner, than to the system itself. 
For most agree that if properly organized and 
guarded, banks may be convenient and useful. 
And most of the opponents of a ireneral, or Uni- 
ted States bank — one calculated to have a gen- 
eral circulation and influence upon the currency, 
are advocates for State banks, and those solely 
under the control of the States. Hence, in face 
of all this excitement and hostility, such banks 
have not only been continued, but increased, 
even in those sections most embittered on the 
subject. 

The admitted conveniences and utility, and 
safety too, resulting from a well-regulated bank 
system, are obvious, and have been abundantly 
tested in this and other commercial countries 



208 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

in the business of deposits, loans, and the regu- 
lation of exchanges, both to governments and 
individuals. And in the fair and regular pro- 
cess of banking, the temporary accommodations 
by way of discounts and issues in aid of busi- 
ness, and of safe-keeping of funds, as well as 
of obtaming at a moment's call, such reasonable 
quantities of specie, as the occasional calls of 
business require. These, to say nothing of the 
salutary effect it may have upon the general 
currency through the country, are among the 
common and generally admitted benefits and 
advantages of sound and well-conducted bank 
institutions. 

But it is urged by way of objection, that these 
institutions will be perverted to mischievous 
ends and purposes, in creating monopolies and 
speculations, and by improper issues, expan- 
sions, and contractions, by which the affairs of 
the country will experience inflations, revul- 
sions and pressures, disastrously affecting the 
business concerns of the country. And further, 
that the temptations held out by these institu- 
tions lead to frequent speculations and ruptures 
of banks, by which great losses are often in- 
curred by the citizens and the government. 

Now, the question arises — Are the evils con- 
nected with the abuse of the banking opera- 
tions beyond the reach of correction ? If so, 
let them be relinquished, unless the obvious ad- 
vantages resulting from the system clearly out- 
balance the evils. The difficulties and abuses 
above alluded to, and others experienced, may, 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 209 

in my apprehension, be measurably obviated, 
and the system be corrected, if the public are 
properly enlightened and agreed on the subject. 
And it would seem that on general measures, 
vitally affecting the currency and business of 
the Union, the different parties and sections 
might lay by party excitement and controversy, 
for the general convenience and welfare. But 
if the subject of banking and the regulation of 
the currency, so generally and equally affecting 
all regular business men of all parties and sec- 
tions, are to be converted into engines of party, 
and turned and twisted to electioneering pur- 
poses, the public feeling and confidence will be 
shaken and agitated ; and the great business 
interests of the Union may experience much 
embarrassment and injury. 

Men differ as to the starting point of the sys- 
tem of banking. Many believe — and have they 
not justice and reason on their side ? — that be- 
fore any corporation or company are permitted to 
issue bank bills, substantial security, by way of 
mortgage or pledge, ought to be given to some 
permanent responsible board, for the ultimate 
payment of the bills to the amount of the origi- 
nal capital, each stockholder furnishing such se- 
curity, severally, in proportion to his stock. This 
would answer the double purpose of making 
the stockholders more watchful, and at worst, 
secure a fair value to the bills. Others contend, 
that the private property of the stockholders 
should be holden to make good the bills. Still 
this last mode might, after all, yield but a fee- 
18^ 



210 TRIEDTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

ble security, as the holders of the stock of banks 
most likely to fail would often prove worthless, 
or very inadequate. 

But both these safeguards are objected to by 
most bank advocates, as shackling the stock- 
holders unreasonably, to very little purpose, and 
requiring w^liat but few \vould be in a condition 
to perform. When w^e place large sums of 
cash, or amount of propert}^ in the hands of 
others, for keeping or use, w^e generally require 
proper security — so when the law makes them 
trustees, administrators, and the like. Why 
not in the banking concerns ? And more espe- 
cially when the temptations to abuses are so 
powerful, and the abuses are so injurious to 
the business and currency of the country. And 
men not able to give such security, are not 
such, generally speaking, as ought to vest capi- 
tal in banks. 

But at any rate, whether such guards and 
protection can or ought to be thrown over these 
institutions, or not, other checks and guards 
most evidently should. Such as shall effec- 
tually guard against the palpable abuse of the 
privileges given them. When we learn the 
cause of the failure of one bank, w^e learn the 
cause of others failing. These, with scarce an 
exception, are caused either by improper and 
extensive loans to particular persons or com- 
panies ; or through the wicked speculations and 
frauds of those having the care and manage- 
ment of them. If a strict and prudent course is 
adopted, and adhered to, as to issues and secu- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 211 

rities taken, properly limiting them, and ac- 
commodating more responsible persons with 
reasonable sums, and ceasing, through improper 
influences and tempting bonuses, large and haz- 
ardous loans to a few leading applicants, our 
banks might be invariably safe, and useful to 
the regions where located. And if public sen- 
timent and rebuke would bear hard and de- 
cisively against the frauds and swindling prac- 
tices of those intrusted with the management 
and concerns of banks ; if our laws promptly 
and severely punished these wholesale offenders, 
by high penalties and positive imprisonment ; 
and if the public feeling would urge their pun- 
ishment, and cease to be denied, such offenders 
would be more rare. Some wholesome refor- 
mation we need in this great business, and viust 
have^ or the dissatisfaction and odium which 
this crying abuse of the banking system is pro- 
ducing, will attach itself irrevocably to the sys- 
tem itself; and the most disastrous difficulties 
will embarrass the currency and business of our 
country.* 

* 1 have recently read some statistics of several well regulated 
banks, which have long sustained tliemsclves in the right way, by a 
prurient and sound course. They are represented as having a mode- 
rate, judicious circulation, and about as much specie as issues in hills. 
I am acquainted with several such hanks ; and they show what banks 
might be, and ouglit to be. There is no necessity for such confusion 
and reckless speculation, as liave so alarmingly prevailed in relation 
to the hanking concerns, if government and the community will 
steadily frov^n upon and punish knavery and extravaganpe. But it 
must be obvious to all in the least acquainted with human nature, 
that if our monied institutions are placed in the hands of imprudent 
or unprincipled men, and swindling, breach of trust, and iiigh-handed 
speculation and robbery are connived at, or slightly rebuked, the most 
serious evils, both of pecuniary losses and moral degradation, will 
continue to prevail. 



212 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

Every bank ought to be strictly a regular, 
safe, thorough, specie-paying bank. And if 
ever, through extreme public pressure, a sus- 
pension is allowed, it ought to be a rare excep- 
tion to the general practice ; and the public 
should be satisfactorily shown that the out- 
standing bills are good, and w^ill be redeemed. 
The occasional baneful practice resorted to by 
some to run dovvn their own banks and credit, 
by mismanagement and fraud, long enough to 
purchase in the bills at a discount, or to allow 
the speculation in others^ ought forever to annul 
the bank, and be punished by law, in an exem- 
plary manner. 

NATIONAL FAITH AND INTEGRITY. REPUDIATION. 
BANKRUPTCY. 

In these days of excitement, experiments and 
ultraism, 1 find that considerable anxiety and 
alarm prevails in the correct and honorable cir- 
cles of community, in regard to the stand- 
ing and preservation of national faith and public 
morality. I cannot bring my mind to any real 
alarm on this subject. Can there exist an}'' 
reasons for such gJoomy distrust of American 
honor '^ Whatever of reckless speculation and 
defalcation may prevail ; whatever of private 
and individual dishonesty and baseness may 
darken and degrade our moral or political at- 
mosphere ; still it requires more distrust and 
timidity — more lack of faiih in the good sense 
and principles of my American brethren, as a 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 213 

whole, than now falls to my share, to entertain 
the belief that the Union, or any respectable 
state or portion of the Union, can ever be left 
to avow and sanction the doctrine and shame- 
ful resort of political or legalized plunder and 
robbery. 

To suppose that this rich, prosperous and en- 
lightened people, can ever fall down and wor- 
ship the foul spirit of mammon so far as to blight 
and repudiate their national faith and honor; 
or to tamper with and disregard their public 
grants and obligations, is a sort of libel upon 
our Union and its citizens. And even the sup- 
position that a single sister of this beautiful 
confederacy can, in such a wa}^, attach a foul 
stigma to the Union and the cause of republican 
liberty, and thus soil and ruin her own credit 
and welfare, and become a by-word and re- 
proach among the States and the world, is too 
degrading to be entertained. 

No — it cannot be. Constitutional, republi- 
can liberty, in North America, shall never be 
overthrown by such a reproach and deadly ene- 
my to her welfare. And should an extreme 
case ever occur, where the insufferable fraud or 
corruption of the rulers and public servants of 
the Union, or a state, shall render it necessary 
to disturb or revise a single grant or obligation, 
let the most ample and speedy equity and jus- 
tice be done to all the parties concerned. 
But repudiation^ or disregard and violation of 
public contracts^ (expressly forbidden by the 
constitution itself,) is a noisome weed too odious 
to be nurtured on American soil. However the 



214 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

citizens of these States may divide and contend 
on men and general political measures, they 
know full well the value, and too highly cherish 
the rich jewel of national faith, ever to part 
with it. 

As to the topic of bankruptcy^ and the con- 
stitution and laws on the subject, I have but 
little to add. As the constitution has explicitly 
given to Congress the power to legislate upon 
this subject, with that body rests the duty and 
responsibility of correct and wise legislation. 
Like the national currency, it is a delicate and 
important subject. The rights and property of 
creditors to an immense amount, as well as the 
relief and prospects of numerous debtors, may 
be deeply affected by the laws and measures 
prescribed in relation to the subject. And I 
trust that government will guard these rights 
with a jealous care and watchfulness; and if 
circumstances seem to demand some merciful 
interposition towards one class, let not that mer- 
cy be converted into cruelty to the other. 



LONGEVITY : 

And some sirlking JVoiices of our Presidents and Revolu- 
tionary Patriots. 

It has often been remarked that our Presi- 
dents and revolutionary worthies lived to a very 
advanced age, enjoying their mental and physi- 
cal powers and faculties. This, as a general 
remark, may be correct. But General Washing- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 215 

ton was only sixty-eight years old at his de- 
cease. After having endured through early and 
later life, the deprivations, exposures and hard- 
ships of military life, and the njore severe pres- 
sure of many long years of painful anxiety for 
his country, a slight cold prostrated his health 
and constitution, and brought him to the grave 
in the course of a few days. But he, great and 
good man ! had lived long enough to see his 
country free and independent, and his own fame 
and glory established through the civilized 
world, upon an imperishable basis. And more- 
over, trusting in his God and Saviour, he could 
calmly meets the king of terrors, and say to his 
friend and attending physician, " Doctor, I am 
not afraid to die." 

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson^ — both dis- 
tinguished worthies and civil actors in the Rev- 
olution, and leading members of that Spartan 
committee who reported our memorable Dec- 
laration of Independence, on the fourth of July, 
1776 — lived to very advanced ages, retaining 
in a remarkable degree their exalted intellectual 
powers. And what is worthy of notice is, that 
after having been successive Presidents of the 
United States in the most heated and bitter era 
of party spirit and animosity, which must have 
imbittered their feelings towards each other, 
they nobly laid aside all unfriendly and alien- 
ated feelings, and spent the long evening of 
their lives in the most cordial friendship and 
correspondence. And both died on the fourth 



216 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

day of July ^ (our country's birth day,) and near 
the same hour of the day !^ 

Benjamin Franklin, the philosopher and pa- 
triot, was a firm, consistent supporter of our 
Eevolution, though past the meridian of life, 
at its commencement. He was a public minis- 
ter to France, in quite advanced life, and ca- 
ressed and honored at court ; and was even pro- 
nounced '' the ornament of human nature," at 
eighty years of age. He w^as a plain, economi- 
cal, sensible, honest man. 

Madison, Monroe, and General La Fayette, all 
lived to a good old age, and died " w^ith honors 
thick upon them," and their memories are em- 
balmed with the love and veneration of the 
American people. 

I must close these notices for want of room 
and leisure; but will just allude to a few other 
very distinguished characters of other coun- 
tries. 

Na-poleon Bonaparte, after the most unpar- 
alleled exploits and successes in arms and con- 
quest, u^as twice dethroned, and died a prisoner 
on the Isle of St. Helena. 

Moreau, the French general next in reputa- 

* " On this day, oui minds natuTally dwell upon the scenes and char- 
acters of the Revolution. Our fathers and patriots, who under fVash- 
ington laid the foundations of our independence, are mostly gone 'to 
that bourne whence no traveller returns.' But here and there one 
lingers on the scene. Even JetTerson and Adams have passed from 
our siglit. Their deaths happening on their country's hirth day^ and 
near the same hour, seemed like a miracle in the progress of liberty — 
like a joint-offering of life itself, by those two venerable political 
patriarchs upon the consecrated altar of American freedom." — Extract 
from the author^s Oration, delivered July 4, IS'29. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 217 

tion to Bonaparte, and his great but unfortu- 
nate rival, after banishment from his native 
land, by the influence of his enemy, and just on 
the point of seeing him humbled by the united 
sovereigns of Europe, was mortally wounded 
by a cannon-ball shot from the French camp, 
while acting as Adjutant-General of the for- 
midable armies about invading France. 

Bolivar^ at one time called the Washington 
of South America, after years of peril and de- 
voted effort, finally triumphed with his Eepub- 
lic at Venezuela. But either tempted by love 
of power, or unjustly suspected and opposed by 
his countrymen, he died a fallen, unhappy man. 

And I must not omit to mention, *' though last 
not the least" of distinguished foreigners, the 
Duke of Wellington, the conqueror of Napoleon. 
But he still lives ; and as all biographical sketches 
of the living are both delicate and hazardous, 
I will only add, that while history keeps a true 
record of the War of the Peninsula, (in Spain 
and Portugal,) and of the cool and determined 
battle of Waterloo,, so gallantly sustained and 
won by him and the veteran, heroic Blucher^ 
the name of Wellington will be cherished and 
honored. 

19 



218 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY 



CHAPTER IV. 



National Gratitude and Justice exemplified in the case of La Fayette's 
Visit to this country in ] 824-5, and most cordial reception j with 
some interesting notices of the Life and Character of that great 
man, and of that National Jubilee, which should be kept in memory 
by Americans. 

History furnishes no parallel to this interest- 
ing national jubilee. We read of the splendid 
triumphs of Eoman conquerors and emperors ; 
and many can remember with what heartfelt 
joy and admiration the hearts of our citizens 
were penetrated, when Washington visited the 
middle and eastern States, some years after the 
Eevolutionary w^ar. The parade and grandeur 
of the former, and the spontaneous effusions of 
love and gratitude which accompanied the latter, 
even the presence of the father of his country, 
have been all eclipsed by that universal ecstacy 
and burst of national joy and gratitude, through 
the length and breadth of this Union, during 
the visit of General La Fayette, the consistent 
and exalted friend of liberty and our country. 

Numerous circumstances of a deeply interest- 
ing nature, combined to render this transaction 
the cap-stone of national triumphs and jubilees. 
He had early participated in our sufferings and 
struggles for independence. He had done and 
suffered much for his beloved America. And 



ill 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 219 

Still had suffered more for his native France, 
amidst her revolutions, changes, trials, and giddy 
violence and ingratitude. In his efforts to check 
this violence he barely escaped martyrdom, and 
escaped but to be plunged into the gloomy dun- 
geons of Prussia and Germany. 

He had been mercifully preserved through 
all, and lived to enjoy peace and safety in his 
native land, where he had often cordially and 
hospitably entertained and honored his endeared 
American friends, as they visited France. 

It was natural, therefore, on his accepting* of 
the earnest invitation of our Government, to 
honor this country by a visit, and here, once 
more, to review the scenes of his early love 
and devoted gallantry, that a sensation of ardent 
enthusiasm should penetrate every heart, and 
spread gladness over the whole country. It 
had for some time been rumored that he pro- 
posed visiting our States ; but the story had 
not gained much credit on account of his age. 
And when it was announced that he was in- 
deed on his way, it is impossible to describe 
the gratification and rapture of the people. 

All seemed familiar with the name, the char- 
acter, and eventful life of this wonderful man. 
His early love and devotion to the cause of our 
National Independence, while associated w^th 
Washington in his perils and labors ; his ef- 
forts and sacrifices in his native land ; his bar- 
barous imprisonment in Germany ; and his 
warm and paternal kindness to Americans in 
France — all were remembered, and waked up 



220 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

emotions of love, sympathy, and admiration. 
And as he approached our shores, these feelings 
and emotions intensely pervaded all classes and 
conditions of people. 

Fayette, Fayette ! the peals proclaim, 

is borne upon the main : 
And through the land, his magic name. 

Wakes up a thrilling strain. 
What stirring Genius moves the seas, 

With such enchanting power '' 
And seems to interest every breeze, 

That sweeps along the shore ? 
Is it some princely potentate, 

With diadem and robe ? 
Or some proud conqueror, elate, 

Bestriding o'er the globe ? 
O no ! — that echoing shout so strong, 

Resounding through the West; 
Is raised for Freedom's lovely son, — 

Columbia's friend and Guest ! 
He lands — he lands on Freedom's soil, 

Defended by his arm ; 
By youthful valor, generous toil, 

And love and zeal so warm. 
'T is Ae, the soldier and the sage, 

The loved of Washington ; 
Unwavering through a perilous age — 

Mild Freedom's steadfast son ! 

I have neither the means nor room for a full 
history of this endeared object of national love 
and gratitude ; but shall insert some account of 
him and his progress, and memorable visit of 
1824 ; with some notices of that visit, reception, 
progress, and departure from Washington city, 
September 7, 182-5, and the aifecting address on 
that occasion by Mr. J. Q. Adams, then President 



ill 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 221 

of the United States, and still an able and ac- 
tive legislator in our national council. 

General La Fayette was borne in Auvergne, 
in France, 1757. By birth and by an early 
marriage, his rank and fortune were of the first 
grade; and his personal merit, education, and 
enterprise, well corresponded with his elevated 
condition and prospects. He might have been 
any thing, and clothed with the greatest splen- 
dor at the French court, by acting the courtier, 
and flattering the king and princes. But his 
brilliant and great mind marked out a nobler 
course, which, under Providence, led to the 
most interesting and auspicious results. 

He very early espoused the cause of our 
Colonies in their resistance to the mother coun- 
try, and efforts for independence. His princely 
fortune, as well as heart and hand, were made 
an offering to the cause of American Indepen- 
dence. Our early resistance was viewed by the 
powers of Europe generally, as a mere hasty 
and rash rebellion ; and even France, the great 
rival and enemy of England, considered it bad 
policy to break her peaceful relations with that 
power, and extend encouragement to an enter- 
prise, which under more promising circum- 
stances she would gladly have done, in order 
to w^eaken a formidable rival. It was, there- 
fore, a w^ork of difficulty and peril on the part 
of Fayette to move at all in his enterprise. 
Even his departure from France in this business 
was interdicted ; and it was through an actual 
arrest and escape, that he got off with a vessel, 
19* 



222 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

secretly prepared at his own expense. Amid 
all these obstacles, and those which still frowned 
before him, from both French and British 
cruisers, undaunted and impetuous, he launched 
into the broad Atlantic, and plied his westward 
course in his ardent, youthful, and exalted en- 
terprise. He arrived at Charleston, in South 
Carolina, in April, 1777, at one of the darkest 
periods of the American Revolution. His 
arrival, and immediate action in providing for 
the wants of a portion of the army, gave new 
life and courage to the almost expiring cause 
of American Independence. 

He entered as a volunteer without pay, into 
the service, declining the offer of a com- 
mand. He was of the family of the com- 
mander-in-chief, and gained his full confidence 
and affection. He was afterwards appointed a 
major-general by a vote of Congress ; and in 
September, 1777, was wounded in the battle of 
Brandywine* After his recovery, he was ac- 
tively employed in various parts of the country, 
and received the thanks of Congress for his 
important services. 

Finding that our cause was still in low re- 
pute in France and all Europe, and believing 
that he could aid our cause by visiting Europe, 
he embarked, and arrived in France in Feb- 
ruary, 1779. He was coldly received by the 



* In Pennsylvania, near a river or a creek, named Brandymne. 
And from this circumstance, both in honor of Fayette, and the well- 
fought battle, the ship of war assigned to convey General La Fayette 
home was called the Brandywine. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 223 

king and ministry for having left France with- 
out their permission ; but the French were be- 
ginning to feel an interest in our cause, which 
was increased by the personal efforts of La 
Fayette. A treaty was the result ; and assist- 
ance promised. And Fayette returned to 
America with the cheering news in May, 1780. 
It is unnecessary here to go into particulars. 
Fleets and armies followed from France. His 
purse and his arm were again in exercise. He 
baffled the plans and enterprise of Cornwallis 
against Virginia ; and finally at Yorktown ex- 
hibited that zeal and gallantry which in no 
small degree hastened the surrender of the army 
of Cornwallis, and the resulting close of our 
Revolutionary struggle. 

He again visited Europe with a view of pro- 
curing farther aid, if it should fail. After peace 
was concluded upon, he returned to America, 
and was every where received with enthusiasm 
and delight. And on his return to France in 
1784, Congress appointed a solemn deputation, 
consisting of one member from each State, to 
take leave of this precious friend and national 
advocate, in the most affectionate and dignified 
manner. 

It is not necessary here to dwell upon the 
particulars and variegated operations, through 
which he passed, after his final return to France. 
No American acquainted with modern history 
and politics can be wholly ignorant of his ef- 
forts, trials and sufferings. 



224 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

It was his desire to see France placed under 
a constitutional representative government, and 
freed from the obnoxious features and burdens 
of the old dynasty. The mild Louis Sixteenth at 
length came partially into his views. The Bas- 
tile was demolished ; a declaration of rights 
was adopted ; and General La Fayette was 
appointed commander-in-chief of the national 
guards, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence 
of the people ; and high hopes were entertained 
that the measures in process would result in 
the most salutary improvement in the govern- 
ment of France. And on the 14th day of July, 
]790, before assembled France, in the place 
called Cha?np de Mars^ the constitution of a 
representative monarchy was adopted. This 
was a proud day for Fayette. But the mild 
constitutional party in France, of whom he was 
the head, had enjoyed its happiest days. That 
excitable, volatile and restless nation, more gal- 
lant and enterprising than wise or consistent, 
was fast falling into misrule and anarchy, 
bloody domestic dissensions, massacres, revo- 
lutions, and sanguinary foreign wars. The 
liberty of the king and his family was restrained, 
their safety and lives threatened, and finally 
sacrificed with much of the best talent and 
blood in France ; and La Fayette himself, then 
commanding the army on the northern frontier, 
for boldly resisting this bloody course of disas- 
trous affairs, was declared a traitor^ and emis- 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 225 

saries dispatched to arrest him ! At this awful 
crisis — 



When midnight moral darkness reigned, 

Poisoning fair Gallia's clime — 
When Terror to dark Deism chained, 

Crimsoned the land with crime ; 
When frenzied mania seized on France, 

And blood like rivers flowed ; 
When all were held in awful trance. 

Where Horror's legions strode — 
How did Fayette, so good and brave. 

Escape the bloody knife ? 
'T was Heaven outstretched the arm to save, 

And Justice claimed his life ! 



And his life was barely preserved. Ingrati- 
tude as well as injustice leagued against him, 
and his just claims to love and protection. 

Sometime in the year 1791, the wise and 
conciliatory councils of the once popular Fayette 
Avere superseded by the violent and destructive 
measures of Petzon^ and other turbulent par- 
tisans. Fayette was sent to command the 
French troops on the confines of Germany. 
His presence in that quarter was necessary, but 
his absence from Paris w^as fatal to the peace 
of his country. While he carried terror among 
the invading enemies of his country, Petion, 
Danton and others, were pursuing measure cal- 
culated to excite acrimony, divisions and civil 
war. Fayette's zeal for the public w^elfare led 
him into an imprudent interference with the 
national assembly. He wrote from his camp 
against the violent measures of ministers. 



226 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

The assembly was reduced to a mere machine, 
subject to the controi of the populace, and a 
few daring leaders. It proposed that Fayette 
should be declared a Traitor ! Weak and in- 
fatuated shadow of a legislature ! 

Notwithstanding these rash and extravagant 
proceedings, the gallant Fayette repaired in 
person to Paris. **He appeared at the bar of 
the national assembly with that confidence and 
dignity w^hich integrity alone can give." He 
assigned as reasons for visiting Paris, the in- 
dignation of his army at the violent measures 
of the factions, and the foul aspersions heaped 
upon him by his dastardly enemies. Even 
his fiercest adversaries felt a consternation at 
the sight and intrepidity of the injured and 
magnanimous general. But the day seemed 
now come when violence and passion de- 
cided every thing in France. The Moderates^ 
were denounced as enemies to liberty, and 
treated accordingly. Fayette was accused of 
treason, and deputies were sent to arrest him. 
But he had notice of their approach, and fled, 
(after a short and spirited address to his army,) 
to neutral ground. But it sometimes happens, 
that the illustrious in distress can find no 
asylum. This was the case with Fayette and 
his friends. They were found out and arrested. 
In the words of the journalists, — *' They took 
the route to Rochefort in Liege, which being 
a neutral country, they hoped to pass un- 

* A term applied to the milder, constitutional party in the Assem- 
bly. 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 227 

molested ; but an Austrian general of the name 
of Harancourt being stationed there, with an ad- 
vanced party, arrested the fugitives, contrary to 
the law of nations, and sent them prisoners to Na- 
mur. We are sorry to add, that these unfortunate 
exiles have ever since been detained as the 
victims of tyranny, and confined in a noisome 
dungeon, for no other crime, or rather under 
no other pretext than that of having been mem- 
bers of the national assembly of France." 

Soon after this, Louis Sixteenth and his inter- 
esting queen fell beneath the bloody guillotine ; 
and the wife and daughters of Fayette, (his eldest 
son then residing with General Washington,) 
became the helpless victims of that barbarous 
anarchy, which had exiled their unfortunate 
friend and guardian. They were imprisoned, 
and their property w^as confiscated. It is with 
mingled pleasure, admiration and compassion, 
we subjoin, that after they had endured a 
variety of afflictions and wrongs, and soon as 
they obtained their liberty, they joined Fayette 
at his dungeon in Olmutz,* 

'* The fate of this brave man, (continue the 
journalists,) is not calculated to exalt our 
opinions of human nature. On the one hand, 
we behold him abandoned by the people for 
whom he had made so many sacrifices ; and on 
the other, oppressed by a combination of kings, 
while his attachment to Louis Sixteenth is the 
source of his calamities. 

* A stiong place in Germany, where Fayette was imprisoned. 



228 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

" In his principles, he was always consistent. 
Faithful to his oath, to the king, to his engage- 
ments, he was among the first to oppose the 
seditious designs of faction, and among the most 
distinguished of those who contended for the 
maintenance of order and civil obedience. To 
have received with cordiality the illustrious con- 
fesser of regulated liberty, would have been no- 
ble and magnanimous, — to imprison virtue and 
valor in distress, was mean and dastardly." 

From the preceding sketches it has already 
been shown, that General La Fayette survived 
all these trials, persecutions and sufferings. 
He, with his devoted wife and daughters, was 
finally released through the mediation of France 
herself, and the efforts of his friends in England 
and America, in 1797 ; and was restored to his 
patrimony at La Grange, He afterwards, from 
principle, opposed the raising of Bonaparte to 
the consulship for life, and more fully, his being 
constituted emperor. He took no active part 
in restoring Louis Eighteenth to the throne, or 
in his subsequent overthrow, and Napoleon's re- 
assumption of power on his return from Elba. 

His known feelings and principles were de- 
cidedly in favor of a well-balanced, limited 
constitutional government. But in all these 
movements he conducted with mildness and 
prudence, spending most of his time on his 
estate at La Grange, with his children and 
family connections, (his wife and heroic volun- 
tary companion in Olmutz, having fallen a prey 
to her persecutions and sufferings, soon after 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 229 

his release,) and devoting himself to their wel- 
fare, to agricultural pursuits, and the kindest 
hospitality to his numerous friends, both Eu- 
ropean and American. At the same time, he 
was no indifferent spectator of the politics of his 
country and the world, advising and assisting 
his country at all trying and difficult times. 
He was especially instrumental in effecting a 
compromise, and the peace and preservation of 
France, at the crisis when Napoleon's power 
and projects were finally prostrated in 1815, by 
associated Europe. 

Thus passed the declining season of his 
eventful life, until the year 1824, when he ac- 
cepted the urgent invitation of the American 
people, to visit once more the land so dear to 
his heart, and his few remaining companions 
in arms during our contest for liberty and 
independence. 

He arrived at the city of New York, August 
15, 1824. I have already alluded to the uni- 
versal joy and satisfaction which signalized his 
arrival : and will now close by inserting some 
notices of his arrival, movements and final de- 
parture in 1825, with the address of President 
Adams on that occasion. 

** Arrival of General La Fayette, — On Sun- 
day morning, the 15th inst., the ship Cadmus 
arrived off New York, bringing the illustrious 
patriot and friend of American liberty. General 
La Fayette, with his son George Washington 
20 



230 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

La Fayette, Mr. Augusle Le Vasseur, a com- 
panion, and one servant. They landed at 
Staten Island, where they were received by the 
Vice-President of the United States, and con- 
ducted to his seat, with whom, agreeably to the 
previous arrangements of the corporation com- 
mittee, they remained until 11 o'clock on Mon- 
day. On passing Fort La Fayette, a salute of 
thirteen guns was fired, and also one on his 
landing, by the ship Importer. In the city, the 
national flag was hoisted at all the public 
places, and all the ships in the harbor, and dis- 
played daring the day. 

From the lime of receiving telegraphic news 
of the arrival in the Sound of the ship Cadmus, 
the city was thronged with people of every 
description, anxious to catch a glimpse of the 
illustrious personage, supposing he would land 
immediately in the city. During the day, he 
received at Staten Island visits from many who 
were eagerly pressing round him. The Mar- 
quis remained at the Vice-President's till Mon- 
day, when he embarked for the city ; which 
day, says the New York Statesman, presented 
one of the most brilliant and magnificent ex- 
hibitions, ever witnessed in the city. "The day 
itself was one of the brightest the sun ever 
shone upon ; the streets and windows were lined 
with the beauty and fashion of the city ; the 
military presented a rich display ; the thunders 
of the artillery were roaring around us, and 
the ringing of the bells, and the spirit-stirring 
music of united bands ; the v/aters were covered 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 231 

with steam-boats and barges gaily and beauti- 
fully decorated ; and almost the entire popula- 
tion of that great city were assembled to re- 
ceive and welcome with overflowing hearts, the 
soldier and patriot of the Revolution." 

It is unnecessary to detail the particulars of 
the proceedings. He landed at the Castle amidst 
the cheers of thirty thousand people. He rode 
uncovered to the City Hall, and received the un- 
ceasing shouts and congratulations of fifty 
thousand freemen. 

*' He left New York on Friday, for Boston, via 
New Haven, Providence, &c., and arrived at 
the seat of Governor Eustis on Monday, and 
on Tuesday was met and escorted to Boston 
lines, by a numerous cavalcade of citizens, at 
which time an extensive procession was formed, 
consisting of the military officers of the city, 
gentlemen of the highest distinction, citizens, 
&;c., all forming an escort, which moved with 
their precious charge and the nation's guest, 
into the metropolis of New England, amidst the 
roaring of cannon, pealing of bells, and general 
acclamations of joy, and gratitude to the illus- 
trious statesman and patriot who early left his 
native country for the purpose of espousing the 
cause of liberty in the new world." 

And thus was he received and welcomed in 
the various States, cities and villages through- 
out the country. *' It is impossible to give a 
just idea of the enthusiasm with which the 
people of every place through which he passed^ 
rushed forth to catch a view of him, and pay 



232 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

their respects to the man whose important ser- 
vices entitled him to the profound regard of 
every American." 

He afterwards, in the course of the year he 
remained in our country, visited every State 
in the Union, carrying joy and gladness, and 
receiving every where, the like general and 
heartfelt welcome and attention. His presence 
at laying the corner-stone of Bunker Hill monu- 
ment, in June, 1824, afforded great pleasure to 
the hundred thousand citizens there convened. 
And many touching scenes occurred, in various 
parts of the country, of his meeting with old 
acquaintances and companions, who shared 
with him in the perils and glory of the Ameri- 
can Revolution. And in September, 1825, he 
took his final leave of his beloved America, as 
the following notice of that moving scene will 
show. 

** Departure of General La Fayette, — Wash- 
ington city^ Sept. 9, 1825. — On Wednesday, 
long before noon, the bustle of the military pre- 
parations was heard in our streets, in which the 
stores were for the most part closed, and all the 
usual business was suspended, to enable our 
citizens to join in the farewell ceremonies to 
General La Fayette. 

*' About 11 o'clock the corporation of the dis- 
trict repaired to the President's house ; and 
soon afterwards the President, attended by the 
Secretaries of the State, the Treasury, and Navy, 
(the Secretary of War being absent from the 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 233 

city,) the Postmaster-General and principal offi- 
cers of the Government, accompanied General 
La Fayette into the large entrance hall, where 
a number of citizens were in waiting to take 
leave of the venerable guest of the nation. 

'* In the midst of the circle, the general took 
his stand, when the President addressed him 
in the following terms : 

*' ' General La Fayette : — It has been the 
good fortune of many of my distinguished fel- 
low citizens, during the course of the year now 
elapsed, upon your arrival at their respective 
places of abode, to greet you with the welcome 
of the nation. The less pleasing task now de- 
volves upon me, of bidding you, in the name 
of the nation, adieu. 

* ■ ' It were no longer seasonable, and w^ould be 
superfluous, to recapitulate the remarkable in- 
cidents of your early life, — incidents which 
associated your name, fortunes and reputation 
in imperishable connection with the Independ- 
ence and history of the North American Union. 

** ' The part that you performed at that impor- 
tant juncture was marked with characters so 
peculiar, that realizing the fairest fable of an- 
tiquity, its parallel could scarcely be found in 
the authentic records of human history. 

*' * You deliberately and perseveringly pre- 
ferred toil, danger, the endurance of every hard- 
ship, and the privation of every comfort, in de- 
fence of a holy cause, to inglorious ease, and the 
allurements of rank, affluence and unrestrained 
20^ 



234 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

youth, at the most splendid and fascinating 
court of Europe. 

*' * That the choice was not less wise than mag- 
nanimous, the sanction of a half a century, and 
the gratulations of unnumbered voices, all un- 
able to express the gratitude of the heart, with 
which your visit to this hemisphere has been 
welcomed, afford ample demonstration. 

" * When the contest of freedom, to which you 
had repaired as a voluntary champion, had 
closed, by the complete triumph of her cause in 
this country of your adoption, you returned to 
fulfil the duties of the philanthropist and patriot, 
in the land of your nativity. There in a con- 
sistent and undeviating career of forty years 
you have maintained through every vicissitude 
of alternate success and disappointment, the 
same glorious cause to which the first years of 
your active life had been devoted, the improve- 
ment of the moral and political condition of 
man. 

Throughout that long succession of time, the 
people of the United States, for whom, and 
with whom you fought the battles of liberty, 
have been living in the full possession of its 
fruits ; one of the happiest among the family 
of nations. Spreading in population ; enlarg- 
ing in territory ; acting and suffering according 
to the condition of their nature ; and laying 
the foundations of the greatest, and we hum- 
bly hope, the most beneficent power that ever 
regulated the concerns of man upon earth. 

In that lapse of forty years the generation of 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 235 

men with whom you cooperated in the conflict 
of arms, has passed away. Of the general 
officers of the American army, you alone sur- 
vive. Of the sages who guided our councils ; 
of the warriors who met the foe in the field, or 
upon the wave, with the exception of a few to 
whom unusual length of days has been allotted 
by Heaven, all now sleep with their fathers. 
A succeeding, and even third generation, have 
arisen to take their places ; and their children's 
children, while rising up to call them blessed, 
have been taught by them, as well as ad- 
monished by our constant enjoyment of freedom, 
to include in every benison upon their fathers, 
the name of him who came from afar, with 
them and their cause to conquer or to fall, 

" ' The universal prevalence of these senti- 
ments was signally manifested by a resolution of 
Congress, representing the whole people, and all 
the States of this Union, requesting the Presi- 
dent of the United States to communicate to 
you the assurances of grateful and affectionate 
attachment of this Government and people, and 
desiring that a national ship might be employed 
at your convenience, for your passage to the 
borders of our country. 

** * The invitation was transmitted to you by 
my venerable predecessor, himself bound to you 
by the strongest ties of personal friendship ; him- 
self one of those whom the highest honors of 
his country had rewarded for blood early shed 
in her cause, and for a long life of devotion to 
her welfare. Bv him the services of a national 



236 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 

ship were placed at your disposal. Your deli- 
cacy preferred a more private conveyance, and 
a full year has elapsed since you landed upon 
our shores. 

'* * It were scarcely an exaggeration to say, 
that it has been to the people of the Union a year 
of uninterrupted festivity and enjoyment, in- 
spired by your presence. You have traversed 
the twenty-four States of this great confederacy. 
You have been received with rapture by the 
survivors of your earliest companions in arms ; 
you have been hailed as a long absent parent 
by their children, the men and women of the 
present age ; and a rising generation, the hope 
of future time, in numbers surpassing the whole 
population of that day, when you fought at 
the head and by the side of their forefathers, 
have vied with the scanty remnant of that hour 
of trial , in acclamations of joy at beholding the 
face of him whom they feel to be the common 
benefactor of all. 

** ^ You have heard the mingled voices of the 
past, the present and the future age, joining in 
one universal chorus of delight at your approach ; 
and the shouts of unbidden thousands, which 
greeted your landing on the soil of freedom, 
have followed every step of your way, and still 
resound, like the rushing of many waters, from 
every corner of the land. 

*' ' You are about to return to the land of your 
birth, of your prosperity. The executive Gov- 
ernment of the Union, stimulated by the same 
feeling which has prompted the Congress to 



TRIBUTE TO BIY COUNTRY. 237 

the designation of a national ship for your ac- 
commodation, in coming hither, has destined 
the first service of a frigate recently launched 
at this metropolis, to the less welcome, but 
equally distinguished trust of conveying you 
home. The name of the ship has added one 
more memorial to distant regions and to future 
ages, of the stream already memorable, at once 
in the story of your sufferings and our Indepen- 
dence The ship is now prepared for your re- 
ception, and equipped for sea. 

** * From the moment of her departure, the 
prayers of millions will ascend to heaven that 
her passage may be prosperous, and your return 
to the bosom of your family as propitious to 
your happiness, as your visit to this scene of 
your youthful glory has been to that of the 
American people. 

'* ' Go, then, our beloved friend, — return to 
the land of brilliant genius, of generous senti- 
ment, of heroic valor — to that beautiful France, 
the nursing mother of the thirteenth Louis, and 
the fourth Henry ; to the native soil of Bayard 
and Coligni, of Turenne and Catinot, and Fene- 
lon and D'Aguesseau. 

** ' In that illustrious catalogue of names, which 
she claims as her children, and with honest 
pride holds up to the admiration of other na- 
tions, the name of La Fayette has already for 
centuries been enrolled. And it shall hence- 
forth burnish into brighter fame ; for if, in after 
days, a Frenchman shall be called to indicate 
the character of his nation by that of one in- 



238 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY, 

dividual, during the age in which we live, the 
blood of lofty patriotism shall mantle in his 
cheek, the fire of conscious virtue shall sparkle 
in his eye, and he shall pronounce the name of 
La Fayette. Yet we, too, and our children in 
life, and after death, shall claim you for our 
own. You are ours, by that more than pa- 
triotic self-devotion with which you flew to the 
aid of our fathers a,t the crisis of their fate. 
Ours, by that long series of years in which you 
have cherished us in your regard. Ours, by 
that unshaken sentiment of gratitude for your 
services, which is a precious portion of our in- 
heritance. Ours, by that tie of love, stronger 
than death, which has linked your name, for 
the endless ages of time, with the name of 
Washington. 

" ' At the painful moment of parting from you, 
we take comfort in the thought that wherever 
you may be, to the last pulsation of your heart, 
our country will be ever present to your affec- 
tions ; and a cheering consolation assures us, 
that we are not called to sorrow, most of all, 
that we shall see your face no more. We shall 
indulge the pleasing anticipation of beholding 
our friend again. 

" ' In the mean time, speaking in the name of 
the whole people of the United States, and at 
a loss only for utterance to that feeling of at- 
tachment with which the heart of the nation 
beats, as the heart of one man, — I bid you a 
reluctant and affectionate farewell.' 



TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTRY. 239 

*' To this address, affected to tears, this un- 
tiring and veteran chief, and exalted friend to 
our country, and the best interests of mankind, 
made a most happy and affectionate reply ; and 
proceeded to take his final leave of the assem- 
bled concourse, and the country. And sur- 
rounded by the greetings of the whole assem- 
bly, who pressed upon him, each eager to seize, 
perhaps for the last time, that beloved hand 
v^hich was opened so freely for our aid, when 
aid was so precious, and which grasped with 
firm and undeviating hold the steel which so 
bravely helped to achieve our deliverance. 

** The expression which now beamed from the 
face of the exalted man, was of the finest and 
most touching kind. The hero was lost in the 
father and the friend, dignity melted into sub- 
dued affection, and the friend of Washington 
seemed to linger with a mournful delight, 
among the sons of his adopted country. 

** On reaching the bank of the Potomac, the 
whole military body passed him in review, as 
he stood in the barouche of the President, at- 
tended by the secretaries of State, of the Trea- 
sury, and of the Navy. After the review, the 
General proceeded to the steam vessel, under a 
salute of artillery, surrounded by as many citi- 
zens, (all eager to catch the last look,) as could 
press on the wharf; and at four o'clock, this 
great and good and extraordinary man trod for 
the last time, the soil of America, followed by 
the blessing of every patriotic heart that lives 
upon it. 



240 TRIBUTE TO MY COUNTHY. 

** Thus terminated a scene deeply interesting 
to all who witnessed it ; exhibiting feelings 
honorable alike to the American nation, and its 
late guests 

Daring this interesting visit ofFayette.the sub- 
ject of his services and sacrifices in our revolu- 
tionary struggle, was taken into consideraton by 
Congress, and a grant of land and suitable ap- 
propriation w^as very unanimously bestowed 
upon him in token of our gratitude and a sense 
of justice. A measure most acceptable to the 
whole people of the Union, and which was un- 
doubtedly received with the liveliest emotions 
of affection and gratitude on the part of La 
Fayette. 

After a somewhat rough and protracted 
voyage, he safely arrived in France, and spent 
a few more precious years at peace with all the 
world, *' with all his blushing honors thick upon 
him." 



Note. — On page 138, in an allusion to Temperance, 
the author indirectly opposes total abstinence. He feels 
it a duty here to state, that since writing that article he 
has signed the tee-total pledge, and thinks that course the 
only safe one. 



A FEW HISTORICAL, CHRONOLOGICAL AND OTHER 
NOTICES OF ERAS AND EVENTS ALLUDED TO IN THIS 
VOLUME, AND PROPER TO BE REMEMBERED. 

A.D. 

The American Continent was discovered by Columbus, , 1492 

The Reformation commenced in Europe about . . . 1515 

The first settlement in the United States began in Virginia, 1607 

The next at Plymouth, (Mass.) ..... 1620 

The American Revolution commenced . . . 1775 

closed ........ 1783 

General George Washington took command of the American 

Army 1775 

The memorable Battle of Bunker Hill, and death of General 

Warren, took place ...... 1775 

Bennington Battle and Victory, at a gloomy period in the 

Revolution ....... 1777 

Battle at Saratoga, and Capture of Burgoyne's Army . , 1777 
The Attack upon Ciuebec by the Americans, and death of the 

brave Montgomery ...... 1775 

The Battle of Brandywine, where General La Fayette was 

wounded ........ ]777 

The defection and Treason of Arnold .... 1780 

The last Battle in the Revolutionary War, at Yorktown, 

(Va.) and Capture of Cornwallis's Army . . . 1781 

Peace with Great Britain concluded .... 1783 

The Shay Insurrection in Massachusetts . . . 1786 

. suppressed ... . . , , 1787 

The Whiskey Insurrection, in Pennsylvania , . . ]794 

The Federal Constitution, adopted .... 1788 

George Waohington, first President, installed , . . 1789 

re-elected ... .... 1793 

declined a third Election, and published his farewell 

Address . 1796 

died-at Mount Vernon .... 1799 

John Adams, (of Mass.) elected President . . . 1797 

Thomas Jefferson, (ofVa.) « "... 1801 

James Madison, (of Va.) " «< . . . 1809 

James Monroe, (of Va.) " "... 1817 

John a. Adams, (of Mass.) ^« "... 1825 

Andrew Jackson, (of Tenn.) " "... 1829 

Martin Van Buren, (of N. York,)" "... 1837 

William H. Harrison, f of Ohio,) " « . . . 1841 

installed, March 4th. ..... 1841 

died, April 4th. ...... 1841 

21 



A.D. 

Battle of Tippecanoe, under General Harrison . . . 1811 

Thames, and death of Tecumseh, under Harrison . 1813 

Naval Engagement on Lake Erie, and Perry's Victory . . 1813 

Lake Champlain, and Mc. Donough's Victory, Sept 11. 1814 

Battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, ..... 1815 

The French Revolution commenced .... 1789 

La Fayette escaped from the emissaries of the Revolutionists 

into Germany ....... 1792 

Execution of Louis Sixteenth, ..... 1793 

Bonaparte made first Consul, and restrained the internal wars \ 

and massacres, in France ..... 1799 

made Consul for life ..... 1802 

made Emperor ...... 1804 

exiled to St. Helena ..... 1815 

died there ....... 1821 

His remains publicly restored to France, by general consent 1841 
Great Battle of Borodino or Moskwa, in Russia, and subse- 
quent conflagration of Moscow .... 1812 
Battle of Waterloo, and final overthrow of Bonaparte by the 
British and Prussian forces, under Wellington and 
Blucher 1815 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Title page ........ 1 

Preface ........ 3 

General Index ....... 7 

Introductory Remarks . . . . . . .9 

Commendiible veneration for the Constitution ... 11 
Copious Extracts, and views of tiie Constitution, with ex- 
planatory notes . . . . . . .13 

Commenrs upon State Rights — the Tariff question, and nul- 
lification . . . ... . . 22 

The subject of the Constitution continued, with allusions to 
its splutary influence upon our country, and the origin 
and progress of political parties and controversies, under 

various Administrations . . . . . .23 

Some salutary effects of the War of 1812, in soothing party 

spirit, opposition to the Navy, &c. .... 28 

New party feelings and collisions — Some reasons assigned . 29 
Opposition and persecution against Mr. Clay . . . 31 
Presidents Jackson and Van Buren fortunate in their mea- 
sures with foreign powers — but less so in their Anti- 
Bank and Currency Experiments . . . .32 

Election and sudden Death of President Harrison . . 32 
List of States at the adoption of the Constitution, and of 

those admitted since • . . . . . 33 

The two lust Census in 1830 and 1840 . . . .33 

Moral and legal Obligations and Sanctions, and their im- 
mense importance ...... 35 

The subject of Slavery — a concern of the Sta'es . . 36 
The Divine Law and Agency, necessary to be known and 

realized ........ 38 

These manifested by the wonderful works of Crea- 
tion and Providence . . . . . ,39 

A clear view of the general laws in relation to Crimes and 
Punishments, and allusions to national and common law, 

legal terms, &c. ...... 43 

Liability of minors to prosecutions , . . . .43 

Briff view of the Law against Forgery and Counterfeiting . 44 

impeding or resisting legal process and Officers of 

Justitie . . . . . .45 

Theft or Larceny, including fruit-stealing and Trespass 45 

Gambling 47 

Duelling 47 

Incendiarism ....... 47 

F'erjury, Slander, and Tattling . . . 47-81 

Violence to Females ..... 48 

Adultery . . . . . . .49 

Blasphemy . '. . . . . ,49 



Brief views of the Law against Profanity 

Sabbath breaking 

■ Intemperance 

■ Riot«, Mobs, &c. 



50 

50 

51-134 

. 53 



On Pride and Extravagance, disrespect to the aged, the 
lowly, and infirm. — Allusions to tne Spartans and Athe- 
nians ....... 54-58-66 

The deportment, habits and occupations of young men, and 

importance of early impressions and education . , 59 

Remarks of Professor Stuart .... 61 

An enlightened understanding, and the due cultivation of 
good feelings and principles, the best guides to correct 
deportment, and defence against ill-manners . . 64 

• Some classifications of impertinences and bad de- 

portment . . , . . . .65 

Strength and importance of Habit .... 67 

Illustrated by various interesting views . . .69 

Erroneous views and notions, the cause of much annoyance 

and difficulty in business and society ... 73 

Several y)reva)erit habits enumerated, aifecting the various 

ciicles and conditions of life . . . . .76 

Hints and Advice, respecting the business, professions, and 

leading occupations in life . . . . .83 

AiTected sensibility and false delicacy, with allusions to 
popular errors and prejudices .... 

■ Some of these noticed and exposed 



National Policy and Justice 

Moral and political principle and duty enforced by 

solemn hints and reflections .... 

Same subject continued .... 

Reasons urged against War .... 

American Slavery — mild and conciliatory essay and view of 
the subject, and plea for the moral and religious educa- 
tion and improvement of ihe colored population, and pre- 
paration for eventual emancipaiion 

The Colonization Enterprise — its probable useful bearing 
upon the civilization and welfare of Africa 

Education ....... 

Some views touching the various modes, plans and 

books, on the subject . 

Some defects and ultra notions, noticed 

Impioveraents suggested, as to School Houses, teach- 
ing and government 

Manual Labor Institutions 

Some popular literary errors reproved 

Religion — 'i'he Sabbath — Public Worship 

Toleration and Liberty, indispensable 

But Tmpifity and [nfidelity, dangerous 

Papal and Catholic Abuses and Corruptions 

Led to the Reformation .... 

Modern Sinless Perfectionism, — Presumptuous, . 

The Doctrine of Election and absolute decrees, and Moral 
Agency duly explained and freely scanned 

Baptism — the great importance ascribed to the particular 
mode, examined ...... 



. 85 

89 

. 102 

103 
1)2 
114 



117 

128 
139 

141 
142 

142 
146 
150 
155 

157 
]57 
]63 

164 

167 

169 
175 



Discontent and want of resignation under the dealings of 

Providence ....... 379 

One cause of Hypocliondria and mental wretchedness . 182 

Remarks, witli hints at remedies . . . . 282 

Domestic Order and Jjnprovement ..... 184 

Their vast importance on the morals and civilization 

of the world 186 

Adversity and affliction — tiieir design and effect . . 19U 
National orn;imont and profit united — great and desirable 

improvements easily to be accomplished in the country . 192 
Brief Essay upon our Civil, Literary, and Religious Institu- 
tions ........ 196 

Remarks on Banks and Banking ..... 206 

Niitional Faith — Repudiation — Bankruptcy . . . 212 
Longevity and notices of our late Presidents and Revolu- 
tionary patriots ...... 214 

And other distinguished Characters .... 216 

National Gratitude and Justice — exemplified in the Visit 
and Reception of General La Fayette in the United 

States 218 

His Life, Character, and Sufferings .... 221 

' His arrival at New York in 1824, and joyful reception 229 

Visit and progress through the Union . . . 232 

His final departure from Washington City, in Sept. 

18Z5, and Mr. Adams's Address on that occasion . 232 

Chronological and Historical Notices .... 241 



ERRATA. 



Page 102, second line from top, for property read prospects. — 
Page 134, third line, for ?c/Zti, read mild. Page 136, ninth line from 
bottom, for riffht read nitjht -, fourth line from bottom, fot wreath 

read wealth. — Page 137, tenth line from bottom, fori ravedj 1 , 

read I raved, I reeled. 



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